M159 Board Member Mike Ford Resigns Over Residency Issue

Mokena School District 159 Board Member Mike Ford resigned his position today. The resignation is effective immediately. 

Ford, who has been on the board for two years, submitted a letter to Board President Danielle Didrickson, who was newly elected in April to serve a four-year term. The issue at hand is Ford's residency requirements. In the end of February, Ford said he sold his Mokena home faster than he had anticipated. Since then he moved with family in New Lenox until he buys a new home. 

He is currently negotiating a contract for a new home within the district. 

In his letter of resignation, he notes:  

"I have previously stated and felt that 180 days would be a more reasonable time period for me to re-establish residency within the District, especially considering the current market conditions, the difficulty with timing a home sale and purchase, and the fact that there has been a previous precedent set with former Board Member (Kevin) Pajeau."

Pajeau left the board in 2010, after having sold his Mokena home. He was given six months to move back into the district. Ultimately, he chose to move to a different community. 

Ford said he formally announced his situation at the March 13 board meeting. About two and a half weeks ago, he was told that the 90-day clock started on March 15, leaving him less than 20 days to secure an in-district home. 

Speaking of the majority of the board's decision, Board Member Patrick Markham said, "they should have given him at least 90 days from that date he was notified."  

Didrickson has not yet returned a call to Patch.  

In 2011, Ford was the highest vote-getting in the election, winning about 2,500 votes.