KANKAKEE, IL – Kankakee School District 111 welcomed new leadership during its meeting on Tuesday night.
Christopher W. Bohlen was elected as the new Board President, succeeding Dr. Barbara Wells, who was given a gift in recognition of her years of service to the district. Deb Johnston and Suzanna M Berrones were also sworn in as board members for the first time.
The election results were certified during the meeting, with Bohlen defeating Darrell Williams, the incumbent Vice President, in a 4-3 vote. Bohlen had won the votes of 1,669 voters in the April 4th consolidated election. Jess Gathing was appointed Vice President after being nominated for the position.
Bohlen is a partner at Barmann Bohlen & Scott P.C. Attorneys at Law, where he has practiced as a trial lawyer since 1977. His practice has included representing persons with injuries, parties in divorce cases, and municipal law. He has also represented the City of Kankakee as either a city attorney or Corporation Counsel from 1993 to 2017. He has been rated a Super Lawyer® since 2005 and has received the highest rating as an AV Preeminent® lawyer for more than 25 years.
In addition to his legal practice, Bohlen is involved in several civic organizations in Kankakee. He is the Vice Chair of the Kankakee County Public Building Commission, a board member of the Kankakee Development Corporation, and a past board member of the Kankakee Area YMCA and Kankakee Valley Park District.
Dr. Wells wished the new board well as she departed, and Jess Gathing declined the nomination for School Board President earlier in the evening. The Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education is now looking forward to working with its new leadership.
