District 113 fills board vacancy

Jenny Lupa, of Highland Park, is the newest member of the Township High School District 113 Board of Education, filling the vacancy left by Dan Struck, who resigned in February.

The Board of Education appointed Lupa at its March 19 meeting, and she will serve until the next election in April 2025.

“I am honored to serve on the District 113 Board of Education and give back to the community,” Lupa said in a statement. “There is so much unseen effort that goes into educating our children. I want to ensure that District 113 is known not just for educational excellence but also for inclusivity and compassion. It is so important that everyone from teachers and staff to administrators and volunteers have the support they need. We all have our roles to play in helping each student achieve their unique potential.”

Lupa is a voice actor and has a degree in theater performance from the University of Michigan.

She has recently served on the Youth Chorus of the North Shore board. And when she resided in England, she was a member of boards for multiple parochial schools.

“After interviewing all of the applicants who were interested in filling this vacancy, it became clear that Jenny is the right person at this pivotal time in District 113,” Board President Anne Neumann said in a statement. “Her previous experience serving in several capacities on multiple boards, particularly those related to education, demonstrates her deep commitment to students and staff.”

Struck, who was in the second year of his second term on the D113 Board of Education, submitted his resignation on Feb. 7. Neumann announced the resignation during a special School Board meeting on Feb. 12.

The resignation came a day after Struck was publicly criticized for an email sent to district families on Dec. 14, 2023 that condemned social-media content from a Deerfield High School teacher. The message, which was signed by Struck, preceded a loud reaction online in which the teacher was identified and reportedly shamed and even threatened.

Struck told The Record that after the Feb. 6 board meeting when he was criticized that he felt like a distraction and that “it was time to go.” He added that his decision was not influenced by his fellow board members or the district’s administration.

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