2 Resignations From Lake Forest School Boards Open Up Seats

LAKE FOREST, IL — Both boards of Lake Forest's public school districts are looking to fill vacant seats for the year leading up to the April 2025 municipal election.

Dr. Marcus Schabacker resigned from the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 board on Friday after announcing last month that he was unable to fulfill his obligation to the district due to his personal and professional situation.

And Alice LeVert is stepping down after two terms from the Lake Forest School District 67, the five-school K-8 feeder district that shares a superintendent with District 115, following her election to the Lake Forest City Council.

Schabacker is an anesthesiologist and CEO of a healthcare nonprofit who, along with LeVert, a Verizon executive, was elected three years ago in a contested election that followed the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.

But in recent week, Schabacker has had limited time to focus on Lake Forest High School issues, he said last month in a letter announcing his resignation. He said board members have opposing views "more often than not" but have always been able to discuss them constructively.

"I was always able to freely express my thoughts and was listened to," Schabacker said. "As in any functioning democracy, sometimes you get the vote and sometimes you do not. I can accept that, to me that is the essence of our society."

Schabacker praised LFHS teachers, staff and Superintendent Matt Montgomery, who he said had always appreciated his opinions and often considered them when making decisions.

District 115 Board President John Noble thanked Schabacker for his contributions and wished him well in future endeavors.

"As a board, we support and respect his choice, yet we will miss him for his strategic mindset, critical thinking, and thoughtful approach to governance," Noble said. "Dr. Schabacker has volunteered countless hours striving to represent his community, always with the betterment of our schools in mind. For this, we are entirely grateful."

State law gives the board until June 11 to fill the seat before the regional superintendent is required to step in and appoint someone.

Noble said the board would fill the vacancy on June 4 in collaboration with the Lake Forest Caucus and VOTE Lake Bluff.

"It is our goal to have a selection process that is as open as possible," the board president said Tuesday in a message to the community. "To this end, we encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply."

Applications are open until April 23. Noble said the board would select some candidates to interview before making a decision. The seat will be up for election in next spring's municipal elections.

LeVert was elected to represent the 3rd Ward on the Lake Forest City Council in last month's primary election, one of five alderpeople who ran unopposed after receiving the backing of the Caucus.

LeVert is expected to be sworn in to the City Council next month, at which point the District 67 board will be tasked with filling her seat. Patch asked a district spokesperson for information regarding the application process, and any information received will be added here.

While running for her second term as school board in 2021, she said she hoped to ensure that the local elementary schools continue to be the top reason that families live in Lake Forest, even though her own sons are in now in their late 20s.

"Although my children are older," LeVert said, "I choose to be part of the 67 school board because I represent the 78 percent of our community that chooses to fund the schools and live in Lake Forest but actually don't have children in our schools any more."