Dear Beye Families and Staff,
For the last few months, District 97 has been working closely with diversity and inclusion consultant Reesheda Graham Washington to support our goal of creating a positive culture and climate at Beye Elementary School. We are very grateful to the families and staff who participated in her listening sessions and provided constructive, actionable feedback for the district to consider as we move into the new school year.
On June 30, Ms. Graham Washington provided a summary of her findings during a virtual meeting that was open to both staff and families. The full After Action Report can be accessed here.
This report has been shared with senior-level administrators, as well as the District 97 Board of Education, for further review and discussion. We have already taken action, or plan to take action, on a number of recommendations, including:
- The hiring of an experienced interim principal who is familiar with the culture of Oak Park. This role will be shared by longtime District 97 educators Sheila Carter and Cheryl Sullivan, who officially started July 1. We are confident that this co-interim team will provide excellent leadership and stability to Beye during the coming school year.
- An audit of our hiring procedures, as well as coaching and support provided for administrators and other personnel. This work will be completed by the district’s incoming interim senior directors of human resources. Findings and recommendations will be shared with the board of education and the incoming superintendent.
The district’s administrative team is planning to work closely with Beye leadership this year to ensure that every student and staff member has what they need to be successful. One of our primary goals is to provide you with clear and consistent communication, particularly when the incoming superintendent begins the search process for Beye’s next permanent principal.
Finally, we want to reiterate how grateful we are for the ongoing support demonstrated for students and staff at Beye. Like Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Carter, we are honored to be joining your school community this year, and look forward to working together to create a positive learning environment for all of our students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Griff Powell and Dr. Patricia Wernet
Interim Superintendents