Longtime educator appointed to fill vacancy on District 128 board

The Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 school board is back to full strength with the appointment this week of Jean Sophie.

Sophie, former superintendent of Lake Bluff Elementary District 65, was appointed unanimously to fill the vacant spot, which expires in April 2027.

Sophie is a longtime educator who served as District 65 superintendent from 2012 to 2020 and was named Lake County Superintendent of Distinction in 2019.

According to a district news release, her children attended District 128 schools and after retiring she worked as an educational consultant.

“She comes in with years of educational experience within the local schools ecosystem, and we look forward to her meaningful contributions” to the position, said board President Mithilesh Kotwal.

Sophie said her career as an educator included experience in traditional and alternative high school settings and she has seen the “transformative impact” strong schools can have on students’ lives.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members to support equitable access to rigorous and meaningful learning opportunities for all students, while ensuring that the district remains a responsible steward of taxpayer resources,” she said.

A board vacancy was created in mid-May when longtime board member and then-President Jim Batson announced his immediate retirement.

The action came at a tumultuous time with the school board and administration under fire for how alleged allegations of sexual grooming and other complaints brought by students have been handled.