Carol Kelley, superintendent of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, has been named a 2020 Superintendent of Distinction by her colleagues in the West Cook region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators.
Kelley was honored at a virtual ceremony on October 8. IASA originally planned to recognize the 21 Superintendents of Distinction at a luncheon in Springfield in May, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A video of the event is included below (Kelley is recognized at the 2:38 mark).
Kelley has served as the superintendent of District 97 since 2015.
"I am deeply grateful to have been named the IASA Superintendent of Distinction recipient for the West Cook region," Kelley said. "This award symbolizes the respect and admiration from my colleagues and peers, and I am very proud to represent our region. The honor would not have been possible without the strong support of the students, staff and incredibly talented administrative team that I have the pleasure of serving with every day."
Prior to joining District 97, Kelley spent three years as the superintendent of schools for the Branchburg Township School District in New Jersey. Before that, she served as the director for curriculum and instruction for Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey for three years. She was also a middle school teacher and principal in New Jersey for a number of years.
Kelley received her bachelor’s degree and doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds an MBA from the University of Virginia.
Notable successes during her time in charge have included:
- Passing a comprehensive racial and educational equity policy and developing programs to help eliminate opportunity gaps and ensure that every child has access to an excellent and equitable educational experience.
- Launching the community engagement strategy that enabled the creation of a shared vision statement and five-year strategic plan.
- Passing a $70.8 million ($13.3M operating; $57.5M capital) referendum to build the operating reserve and make facilities improvements to support the student population growth from 5,700 to 6,100 and prepare 21st century learning environments.
- Elevating the district as a National Board Professional Development Host and increasing the number of National Board Certified teachers from 9 to 48 within three years.
IASA Executive Director Brent Clark said Superintendents of Distinction are selected by their peers in each of the 21 different IASA regions based on leadership, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
“These extraordinary individuals truly provide exceptional leadership that elevates the success of students in their districts and are difference makers in their communities," Clark said.
IASA 2020 Superintendents of Distinction from IASA on Vimeo.