Library, School Boards Contested, Unlike Deerfield Village Board

DEERFIELD, IL — Races for high school and library boards are the only contested ones in the April 2 municipal elections, as caucus-backed trios of candidates runs unopposed for the village board and elementary school boards.

In the election for the Township High School District 113 Board of Education, seven candidates are contesting four full terms and one half-term created by last year's resignation of David Small, who said it became clear his views were "at odds with the majority of the Board" following the negotiated departure of former Superintendent Chris Dignam. Board members Debra Hymen and Alenda Laube decided against seeking another term on the board.

After a year with retired co-interim superintendents at the helm, the District 113 board picked Hinsdale District 86 Superintendent Bruce Law as its next chief administrator. Law, who begins in July, led the district into a $166 referendum rejected in November, the elimination of sports and activities, and another pending referendum this April.

UPDATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 ELECTION RESULTS FOR DISTRICT 113, DEERFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARDS

Hoping to stay on the board in charge of Deerfield and Highland Park high schools are the following incumbents:

• Gayle Byck, 50, board certified patient advocate at InTune Health Advocates
• Michelle Culver, 46, a board member of Community The Anti-Drug (seeking the two-year term)
• Ken Fishbain, 63, vice president of business development at Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgical Associates want to stay on the board.

They are being challenged by:

• Joe Tyler Gerber, 23, an @Properties real estate broker
• Michael Perlman, 55, former franchise owner and adviser
• Daniel Struck, 54, attorney, partner at Culhane Meadows
• Jodi Shapira, 51, former teacher, District 109 board member (seeking the two-year term.)

Voters will choose between Culver and Shapiro and may pick any four of the other five candidates. The District 113 Caucus endorsed Byck, Fishbain, Struck and Perlman.

Deerfield Public Library Board of Trustees

Three candidates, all Deerfield residents, are running for two seats for six-year terms as library trustees. They include two incumbents and a challenger:

• Howard Handler, 41 (incumbent)
  • Director of government affairs, National Insurance Crime Bureau
• Michael K. Goldberg, 51 (incumbent)
  • Partner, attorney at the Goldberg Law Group
• Jordan Parker, 43
  • Senior communications consultant, Alight Solutions

Read more about the April 2, 2019 election from the the Deerfield Review, the Highland Park News and the League of Women Voters of Highland Park-Highwood