Palatine-Schaumburg Dist. 211 school board member dies

The Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 community is mourning the death of a school board member.

While Theresa Tracy joined the District 211 board only last year, she was used to the surroundings. Before board members appointed her in March 2009 to take the seat of the late Susan Kenley-Rupnow, Tracy had covered the board as a freelancer for the Chicago Tribune. She lived in Schaumburg, and from 1997 to 1999 she worked as a staff reporter for the Tribune, specializing in education.

The District 211 home webpage memorialized the 44-year-old Tracy, who died on Sept. 3. Tracy had been absent from the past several board meetings, despite the summer schedule when members gathered less. Her family has kept the details of her death private, leaving District 211 officials unaware of the circumstances of her passing. The news of her death slowly made its way to the District 211 community over the Labor Day weekend.

"All I know is it's been a difficult time for her, definitely a struggle for her family," board President Robert LeFevre said. "She hasn't been to a meeting in quite a long time."

LeFevre remembers Tracy's dedication to keeping her colleagues informed on issues affecting schools on the local, state and national levels. Tracy served as the board's ED-RED representative. The acronym stands for "education, research, development" and the group advocates for suburban school districts and informs them about news coming from the state legislature in Springfield that affects public schools.

District 211 Superintendent Nancy Robb attended funeral services on Friday held in south suburban Homewood.

"She displayed a strong commitment to students and District 211," Robb said. "She was positive, had excellent insights and was eager to learn."

Tracy's background as a reporter didn't weigh much into her appointment, LeFevre said. However, her past familiarity with the board from covering meetings did show an interest in the District 211 community.

"When you're a board member, you notice (the audience and) who comes or doesn't attend the meetings," LeFevre said. "For those who do attend, it demonstrates a sincerity, a sense of interest."

Tracy had worked for the University of Illinois extension service. She grew up in the south suburbs and said she was happy to use her perspective as a reporter covering the district when she joined the board. She said she was eager to help the board negotiate a contract with the teachers. She found her roles changed. As a reporter, she spent time covering the 2007 labor talks when District 211 came to the brink of a teachers strike.

As the only African American member on the board, she vowed to look out for the interests of all students.

"My intention is to advocate for all people, all children," she said in an April 2009 interview.

Tracy filled the unexpired term of Kenley-Rupnow, who died on Valentine's Day 2009 at age 58 from complications due to breast cancer. Voters elected Kenley-Rupnow in 2007, and the board appointed Tracy last year after reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. She left members impressed with her passion for education. Tracy's term was set to come up before voters in April.

Once again, board members will have to go through the applicant process in the midst of sad circumstances. LeFevre said the board will discuss filling the empty seat at the Thursday, Sept. 16, meeting. An appointment will come later this fall.