Longtime Aurora Board of Education President Gerald Kohanski dies
Longtime Aurora Board of Education President Gerald Kohanski died on Jan. 24 after a short illness.
Kohanski, 73, served on the school board for 24 years. For two of those years, he was the board vice president and for his final 22 years on the board, he served as its president.
"There is no question that Jerry had an immeasurable impact on the community of Aurora," Aurora Superintendent Michael Roberto wrote in an announcement that went out to district families. "His leadership and care for our kids will be missed. Please keep the Kohanski family and friends in your thoughts."
According to the policy manual for the Aurora City Schools, the school board must appoint a new member to replace Kohanski no sooner than 10 days after the vacancy is created and no later than 30 days after it's created. On that basis, the soonest the school board couple replace Kohanski on the school board would be Feb. 3. The latest they could replace him would be Feb. 23.
The new board member would serve "until the first day of January immediately following the next regular Board election taking place more than 90 days after a person is selected to fill the vacancy," according to the policy manual.
The next regular school board election is set for November 2023. At that election, the newly-appointed board member would have to run for re-election, according to Portage County Board of Elections Director Faith Lyon.
"It would be for the remainder of the term, which is only two years in this case," she explained.
Kohanski was an executive at Cleveland Cliffs before retiring in 2012. He then began teaching English at Kent State University, which he did until his death.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, to whom he was married for 50 years. He is also survived by three children and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Aurora. Family will greet visitors from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Donations may be made in his name to the Aurora Schools Foundation.
Reporter Bob Gaetjens can be reached at 330-541-9440, bgaetjens@recordpub.com and @bobgaetjens_rc.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: 22-year Aurora Board of Education President Gerald Kohanski dies
