Likely next week the school board at Oak Park’s District 97 public elementary schools will announce the hiring of its next superintendent.
There are two finalists. And to its great credit, this school board has introduced both of them to our community. Terri Bresnahan, currently a superintendent in the northwest suburbs, and Angela Dolezal, an administrator in Riverside’s public schools and a former longtime principal at Longfellow School in Oak Park, have been interviewed by the school board, took part in a public Zoom town hall, and sat for final interviews with both the school board and a committee of stakeholders that includes parents and district staff.
This is a sincere model of community engagement that all local governments should follow. It reflects a trust in our community and that reflects well on District 97.
Both of these career educators seem well qualified, have an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of this essential school district, and appear enthusiastic to lead in our village.
