LTHS Board: South Of Joliet Road Now Has Rep

LA GRANGE, IL – The Lyons Township High School board on Monday chose a teacher to fill a seat left vacant by board President Dawn Aubert's abrupt resignation a month ago.

Paula Struwing, a health and driver's education teacher in Proviso High School District 209, joined the board.

Struwing is a Willow Springs resident. Last year, the board's plan to sell the school's land in Willow Springs to an industrial developer sparked an uproar among residents in Willow Springs and nearby towns.

Many noted the board had no members from south of Joliet Road, which includes Willow Springs. With Struwing on the board, that is no longer the case.

She was among 11 applicants, with at least one later withdrawing

The board undertook a secretive process to select a new board member, with no public interviews. Within minutes of Struwing's selection, the school issued an already-prepared news release.

A couple of weeks ago, Patch obtained the candidates' applications through a public records request.

In her application, Struwing said the high school faces big challenges that require attention. She said one is the sale of the Willow Springs land and the allocation of the proceeds.

She also said the challenges include achieving more consistent approaches to student discipline and overhauling homework and test retake policies to better prepare students for "true college expectations."

"(E)nhancing communications strategies to proactively dispel myths and address the escalating concerns regarding violence at school without adequate consequences is critical for reshaping community perceptions and trust," Struwing said in the application.

Proviso has campuses in Maywood, Hillside and Forest Park.

Struwing holds a bachelor's degree in community health education and a master's degree in school health education and educational leadership.

Struwing has experience in school volunteer service as a board member for St. Cletus Parish in La Grange. She has been involved in the La Grange Pet Parade, the Lyons Township Hockey Club, and the freshmen football and boys volleyball programs, the high school said.

According to the news release, the board completed applicant interviews April 24 and selected Struwing during the appointment process.

In Illinois, school board members are unpaid.