Highland Park High School educator put on leave following domestic battery arrest
A Highland Park High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after she was arrested for an alleged domestic battery just days before the school year was set to begin.
The Wauconda Police Department arrested Bridget Fahrner on Sunday, Aug. 9, records from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office show.
According to Lake County records, Fahrner was charged with one count of domestic battery involving bodily harm, a Class A misdemeanor.
In an email to the Township High School District 113 community on Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland said the district became aware of Fahrner’s arrest on Monday and Fahrner was “immediately placed on administrative leave per standard procedure.”
“Fahrner will remain on administrative leave to give both the court and District 113 time to complete their respective investigations,” Holland wrote.
“District 113 has no further information other than publicly available arrest records.”
A D113 webpage lists Fahrner under Highland Park High School’s World Languages Department. The Chicago Tribune previously reported that Fahrner has taught languages in the district since at least 2015 and served as the D113’s “Equity Coordinator” in 2018.
Lake County records list her home address in Wauconda.
The first day of class for D113’s 2026-2027 school year is set for this Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Holland directed individuals to contact the district’s director of security, Lane Linder, if they have additional information to report, and students in need of support should contact the district’s counseling department chair, Jen Ginopolis.
Individuals can also submit a concern anonymously through the D113 Tip Line by texting at (844) 224-1521 or through the district’s web portal.
Check back with The Record for updates to this developing story
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Samuel Lisec
Samuel Lisec is a Chicago native and Knox College alumnus with years of experience reporting on community and criminal justice issues in Illinois. Passionate about in-depth local journalism that serves its readers, he has been recognized for his investigative work by the state press association.
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