Former Decatur school board member to chair foundation

Former longtime Decatur school-board member Mark Wisniewski was recently named chairman of the Decatur Educational Foundation. The 12-year-old nonprofit DEF holds a series of fundraisers to pay for teacher and student grants and scholarships for graduating seniors.

Wisniewski said he’ll also assist in interviewing candidates for the superintendent’s job, and help educate the public on the $75 million general obligation bond, which’ll be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Although the DEF as an organization can’t campaign for or against the bond, Wisniewski is abundantly clear on his individual stance.

“I can’t emphasize enough the negative impact if this bond fails,” he said. “It is critical, part of the longstanding commitment this city has towards education.”