La Salle-Peru Board Appoints Ingrid Cushing as Assistant Superintendent

The La Salle-Peru Township High School Board of Education appointed Ingrid Cushing as the new assistant superintendent during a regular meeting on December 6, 2023. Cushing, who has served as principal since 2020, will transition into her new role immediately, overseeing district-level decision-making and management for the remainder of the school year.

This appointment follows the acceptance of separation agreements for district Superintendent Steven Wrobleski and district business manager Jennifer Does, which occurred in November amid an investigation into alleged misconduct involving both administrators. Cushing’s new responsibilities will require her to manage various aspects of the La Salle-Peru district at a critical time.

In her previous role as principal, Cushing was responsible for leading the high school and fostering an educational environment conducive to student success. Prior to that, she held the position of associate principal for teaching and learning from 2016 to 2020. Cushing’s experience is expected to be beneficial as she steps into the district office, with a transition planned over the upcoming winter break.

To fill Cushing’s former responsibilities, the board has appointed Catherine Lance as interim principal. Lance, who currently serves as associate principal for teaching and learning, will maintain her previous duties while taking on the additional role of managing the high school.

In a broader context, the board recently announced the hiring of Dr. Clayton Theisinger as the next superintendent, set to take office on July 1, 2026. Additionally, Lori Whalen was appointed to the position of business manager, having previously held this role from 2018 to 2023.

The decisions made during the board meeting reflect a commitment to maintaining stability and leadership within the La Salle-Peru educational community. As the school year progresses, the focus will remain on ensuring that students receive a quality education while navigating the transitions in administrative leadership.