Meet the Candidates: North Shore School District 112 Board of Education, 7 for 4 seats

JUMP TO: Bennett Lasko (i) | Sharone Marck | Jaret Fishman | Lori Fink | Art Kessler (i) | Ryan Morgan | Bradley Hergott
(i: incumbent)

Seven candidates, including two incumbents, are competing for four open seats on the North Shore District 112 Board of Education, serving Highland Park and Highwood.

Incumbents Bennett Lasko and Art Kessler are each finishing their second terms on the board, while expiring board members Alexander Brunk and Dan Jenks are not running after serving two terms apiece.

Below are basic profiles of the seven candidates, each of whom submitted a digital form upon request from The Record. The order they are presented was selected at random.

An eighth candidate, John Guy, did not return messages from The Record.

These profiles are just one layer of The Record’s election coverage and are meant to provide community members with basic information about those running for public office. Prior to the election on April 1, The Record will also conduct and publish independent interviews with the candidates.

Name: Bennett Lasko

Professional experience: Attorney

Community experience/involvement: I have served eight years on the District 112 Board of Education, including two as president. Together with my colleagues, we stabilized the district’s finances, resolved its facilities challenges, built a positive culture, and improved student achievement and well-being. From deep experience, I understand District 112’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

I am running for reelection to build on District 112’s momentum and ensure board continuity as we prepare for a critical superintendent transition in 2025-26. The transition requires careful, multi-year planning across our entire leadership team — balancing strengths and needs, understanding our talent bench, and creating opportunities for our next generation of leaders.

My institutional knowledge also will be invaluable as we face our next set of challenges. These include strategic planning; completing building renovations; maintaining fiscal discipline, challenging every student with rigorous, personalized curriculum; supporting our teachers; adapting to new technologies; and ensuring genuine, unconditional belonging for every student.

Name: Sharone Marck

Professional experience: Attorney

Community experience/involvement: I’ve been a longtime advocate for policies that support D112’s working families.

I served on the Board of Directors of Chicago Children’s Theatre and am the past president of Chicago Women in Public Finance. I regularly volunteer with Illinois Free Legal Answers and election protection efforts in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Why are you running for this public office?

Over the past eight years, after a period of community disharmony, members of the current school board worked with the administration to achieve financial stability, 21st century facilities and improved student outcomes. I decided to run when I learned that two current board members were rolling off. The district needs experienced and thoughtful board members who both listen to the community and support the administration by offering ideas and counsel that produce the best educational outcomes for our kids and fiscal outcomes for taxpayers now and in the future.

Name: Jaret Fishman

Professional experience: Practicing attorney

Community experience/involvement: City of Highland Park’s Human Relations Advisory Group (2 terms)
• District’s Citizen’s Task Force- facilities planning & referendum (2022);
• Yes to Invest campaign (2022);
• D112’s Discovery Team for Strategic Planning (2024);
• D112’s Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (2018-present)- Executive Board (past president);
• D112 Caucus (2018); D113 Caucus (2024);
• Insight Advocacy (board member)

Why are you running for this public office?

I believe in the power of public education to deliver brighter futures and afford every student the opportunity to reach their full potential. My focus is on academic outcomes, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement — priorities I have championed for nearly a decade. I’ve advanced fiscal responsibility with the referendum, strengthened community engagement through the Bilingual Parent Advisory Group, and pursued academic excellence with D112’s Strategic Plan. As a community leader and civil rights attorney, I bring expertise and experience in good governance, leadership, and problem-solving, along with the temperament to foster collaboration. I’ll continue D112’s legacy of academic excellence.

Name: Lori Fink

Professional experience: Former educator, instructional coach, EL/Bilingual coordinator, compliance expert, school administrator, and founding member of a charter school.

Community experience/involvement: I am passionate about community involvement. I serve as Advisory Board president of ORT Chicago, board member of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, founding member of Girl Scout Troop 4772, and PTO Assemblies Coordinator at Red Oak. I also lead free community yoga at the Ravinia Farmers Market.

Why are you running for this public office?

I’m running for our school board because I love our community, believe in civic responsibility, and want to help our schools thrive in my area of expertise. A successful board represents diverse perspectives. As the only candidate with school administration experience, I bring a unique understanding of how to support equitable systems that empower students, support staff, and foster strong school and community partnerships. Additionally, I’m the only candidate with children in both the dual language and traditional programs, offering firsthand insight into our district’s diverse needs. I’m committed to equity, collaboration, listening, and ensuring exceptional outcomes for all students.

Name: Art Kessler

Professional experience: Private equity, Northwestern MBA

Community involvement/experience: Served eight years on the School Board for 112. Oversaw: standardizing curriculum, boosting student achievement, stabilizing the budget, renovating buildings, repairing our relationship with the unions, committing $6 million to security and making it a “Destination-District.” Co-led the 112 Configuration 2.0 Committee. Served on the board of Congregation Makom Solel Lakeside.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

With a new superintendent starting and the departure of all four board members elected during the crisis eight years ago, continuity and institutional knowledge are critical to sustaining our progress. If reelected, I will work to earn Illinois’ Exemplary status for our remaining schools by continuing our impressive gains in student achievement through improved instructional differentiation, increased rigor, and expanded student choice to enhance engagement. I am also committed to completing the district’s renovation projects, ensuring our facilities support student success. Stronger schools will, in turn, boost home values and benefit the entire community.

Name: Ryan Morgan

Professional experience: Specification sales

Community experience/involvement: Over the past 10 years, I’ve actively contributed to the community, co-leading the Oak Terrace chess program, supporting PTO events, and judging the D112 Robotics competition. I’m a member of the HP CERT program, certified in search, rescue, and emergency response. I have two kids in the dual language program.

Why are you running for this public office?

Our district has undergone a major transformation, with significant investments in school infrastructure, and I’m grateful for the community’s support to make this happen. As we transition from construction to long-term maintenance, I would be a responsible steward of this investment. Another top priority is academics. We must implement a consistent curriculum across schools, promote inclusion and ensure every student reaches their full potential; simultaneously challenging advanced learners and supporting those in need. Additionally, financial self-sufficiency is vital. It’s the board’s duty to responsibly balance expenses and future investments while providing a quality education without continually seeking additional funding.

Name: Bradley Hergott

Professional experience: Business owner, attorney

Community experience/involvement: North Shore native, Highland Park resident since 2016. Two kids in the district (K and 2nd). Park district basketball coach. Former board member at Erie Neighborhood House and Legal Prep Charter Academy. Mentored at ENH, helped lead a pro bono law clinic, and participated on NSSD112 Strategic Change Discovery Team.

Why are you running for this public office?

I am running for the School Board to ensure District 112 provides an exceptional education, makes smart financial decisions, and provides a safe and secure environment for our kids. My focus: helping students develop strong foundational and interpersonal skills while balancing technology use, carefully evaluating initiatives for short- and long-term impacts, and providing the physical, social and emotional environment where children can learn and thrive.

It is important to listen to all voices — parents, teachers, administrators, and community members — to make informed, value-enhancing decisions that benefit our district. I will work collaboratively and strategically to achieve our goals.

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