Waller, Riley join District 300 board; Woodside retains seat

The Du Quoin District 300 Board of Education has two new members following Tuesday's election.
Voters elected to send Patrick Riley, a hospitalist physician; and Trenton L. Waller, an Illinois State Police trooper, to the board. Also elected was Carbondale Community High School teacher Mark Woodside, who was appointed to the board in 2015.
Dennis Cole, who was first elected to the board in 2013, did not win another term. Voters also passed over newcomer Mark Gates.
Woodside led with 877 votes, followed by Riley with 760 and Waller with 602. Cole tallied 519, and Gates collected 509. All votes are unofficial until they are canvassed
Riley said joining the school board has been one of his life goals.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Riley told the Call after his win. "I'm excited to jump in."
Riley said a focus of his will be building transparency -- a thought echoed by Woodside, who said he was grateful to win a full term.
"I want to thank the people of Du Quoin," Woodside said. "I've felt an outpouring of goodwill from them."
The Call reached out to Waller but did not make contact by deadline.
Significant challenges are expected to face the newly seated board, which will face not only continuing uncertainty regarding state funding, but also the daunting task of replacing longtime Superintendent Gary Kelly, who will retire next year.
At a public forum last week, the three candidates in attendance -- Waller, Gates and Riley -- focused largely on ways in which the district can work to better engage parents. Candidates also discussed the school district's $16 million bond debt, issues of nepotism in hiring, and strategies for making any cuts that may become necessary.