The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is pleased to announce that it has selected Dr. Terri Bresnahan as the district’s next superintendent of schools, effective July 1, 2026. Her four-year contract was approved during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Bresnahan brings 30 years of experience in public education, including 11 years serving as a superintendent. She currently leads Community Consolidated School District 59 in Elk Grove Village and previously served as superintendent of Berkeley School District 87.
Throughout her career as a teacher, instructional leader and administrator, she has focused on strengthening school culture, advancing equity, improving student outcomes—particularly those from historically marginalized groups—and building collaborative partnerships with staff and families. Her leadership experience also includes overseeing large, complex district budgets and guiding organizations through strategic decision-making with a focus on fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University, a doctorate in educational leadership from National Louis University, and a certificate of advanced study in administration and supervision.
Her experience across multiple districts and leadership roles will allow her to transition smoothly into District 97 and quickly begin building relationships within our highly engaged community.
From the outset of the search last fall, the Board committed to an inclusive process grounded in community input. The goal was to select a leader aligned with the district’s shared values and future priorities.
Board President Cheree Moore said that commitment guided both the process and the final decision.
“Our community asked for a leader who listens, builds trust and keeps students at the center of every decision,” Moore said. “Dr. Bresnahan brings deep experience leading diverse school communities with integrity and care, along with a long-standing commitment to equity and student success. The board is confident she is the right person to lead District 97 forward.”
Bresnahan said she is eager to spend time listening and learning from students, staff and families as she begins her work in the district.
“I am honored and excited to return to the West Cook area and join the Oak Park District 97 community,” Bresnahan said. “Oak Park’s longstanding commitment to equity and whole-child education deeply resonates with my values and my purpose as an educator. I look forward to partnering with students, staff, families and community members to build on the district’s strong foundation.”
Bresnahan and her family reside in Elmhurst. Her husband, Brian, also works in public education and is a current school board member, and together they are the parents of four children.
Community Engagement and Selection Process
The Board partnered with the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) to conduct the search, beginning in fall 2025 with a community survey used to develop the leadership profile.
In December, IASB facilitated small-group conversations with more than 100 participants, including middle school students, families, teachers, support staff, administrators and community members. These discussions were designed to reflect a wide range of perspectives across the District 97 community and helped identify the qualities stakeholders felt were most important in the district’s next leader.
Using that input, the Board reviewed a diverse and highly qualified candidate pool and conducted multiple rounds of interviews in January. Finalists participated in a public town hall and met with a representative community panel of parents, staff and administrators before the board made its selection.
“Because the profile was shaped by our community, it gave the board a clear framework for evaluating candidates,” Moore said. “Dr. Bresnahan consistently demonstrated the experience, judgment and student-centered leadership our stakeholders told us they were seeking.”
Looking Ahead
Dr. Bresnahan will begin working with the district leadership team prior to July 1 to support a thoughtful transition and spend time in schools and the community getting to know students, staff and families.
The board expressed appreciation to students, staff, families and community members who participated in the search process and shared feedback throughout the past several months.
“We heard clearly that our community wants a leader who will be present, invested and committed to Oak Park,” Moore said. “Dr. Bresnahan brings the experience to step into this role ready to listen, build relationships and build on the strong work already underway across District 97.”