Well wishes for departing District 24 trustee

When the District 24 Board of Education holds its reorganization meeting in July to swear in its new and re-elected members, one familiar face will not be taking the oath of office. After 21 years of service, Frank Nuara decided not to seek re-election for this year’s vote on May 21.

During that 21-year stretch, Nuara has been a part of a lot of major decisions that have shaped the way students are educated in District 24, but the resolution that sticks out the most was the hiring of Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale to his position in 1998. Nuara was board president at the time of the decision and said it united the trustees going forward.

Over the years, his favorite part of being a board member was seeing student presentations during meetings. “When you see their accomplishments and what kids are learning, it actually makes you feel good for the amount of time you’re putting into this effort,” he said.

Nuara’s three sons each graduated from the William L. Buck School; his youngest left the district in 2000. The fact that he no longer has children of his own in the district, and hasn’t for some time, played a role in his decision to not seek re-election for an eighth term. “I think it’s very relevant for people who are very much actively engaged in the schools to be on the board,” he said.

One of his longtime colleagues on the board, Tony Iadevaio, said Nuara will certainly be missed. “Not only do I consider Frank an excellent friend,” Iadevaio said, “but he’s an excellent board member who really did his homework and came prepared to the meetings.”

Nuara has been a chief operating officer for the Bank Street College of Education for the last 15 years and Iadevaio said Nuara’s financial expertise was helpful for the other board members. During his 21 years as a trustee, Nuara said, the district has passed 21 consecutive budgets, despite some tough economic times.

Fale said Nuara is a good friend and will certainly be missed by everyone in the district. “He’s truly a very effective board member who has always put the interests of the students above everything else,” Fale said of Nuara. “He’s a team player who works well with the other board members. He’s well liked by the entire staff and community and he’s truly a good man.”