Emily Shultz resigns from District 45 Board of Education citing personal commitments
District 45 Board of Education member Emily Shultz announced her resignation from the Board, effective June 15, according to a June 18 statement. Shultz was first elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2025.
“We thank Emily for her service and commitment to our schools,” Board President Judy Degnan said. “Her leadership and unique contributions to our Board have greatly benefited District 45 and our community.”
Shultz said increased demands from her work and family led to her decision. “My decision to step down was a difficult one, but increased work and personal commitments prevent me from giving this role the time, attention and consistency it deserves,” Shultz said. “Serving on the Board has been a great honor, and I am deeply proud of the work the Board has done on behalf of students, staff and families.”
Shultz also expressed appreciation for colleagues on the board: “I will continue cheering on and supporting District 45 as both a parent and community member,” she said.
The Villa Park School District 45 represents DuPage County, including Ardmore Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, North Elementary School, Schafer Elementary School, Stevenson School, Westmore Elementary School, and York Center Elementary School; it enrolled 3,306 students in the 2019-2020 school year as an elementary district serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Its student body is comprised of approximately 43 percent White students, about eight percent Black students, and over one-third Hispanic students, with an average teacher salary above $74 thousand. Chronic truancy rates are below state averages, and per-student spending exceeded $23 thousand in recent years, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
The board stated that it will follow procedures outlined in Illinois law to fill the vacancy left by Shultz’s departure. Information regarding appointment process details will be shared with the community as they are finalized.