OAK PARK BOARD TAPS NEW TRUSTEE.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

The Oak Park school board has appointed a community activist to fill its vacant seat after interviewing seven other candidates during a monthlong search to replace trustee Jeri Fox.

Linda Seaman, who has lived in Oak Park six years and has two youngsters in the district, will be sworn in at Tuesday's board meeting. Her interim term expires in November.

``I applied because I want to be a part of ensuring the quality of schools in our district,'' said Seaman, who was chosen Thursday night. ``I've been a community volunteer for years here, so this is just another avenue.

Seaman is the president of the Parent-Faculty Club at the middle school where her younger daughter is in eighth grade. She also chairs the parent committee of the accreditation team at Oak Park High School, where her older daughter is a junior.

``I think her combination of personal abilities and experiences and her dedication to our schools as a volunteer seemed to fit into exactly what we were looking for,'' said board member Robert Kahn.

Seaman succeeds Fox, who resigned amid criticism over allowing alcohol to be served to teens during a homecoming party at her house.

``What happened with Jeri Fox was a very unfortunate incident. But I think it's over and everyone wants to get on with the process,'' Kahn said.

Trustees said all eight applicants were qualified to fill the seat, and they had difficulty making a decision.

``Every one of the candidates would have been successful, really,'' Kahn said.

Seaman will be briefed on board business in the next four days in time to be take part in Tuesday's meeting, which will focus on studying a proposal for a new library.

``I knew I would have to get up to speed quickly and I'm ready,'' she said.