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After careful consideration, a joint committee of the District 75 and District 120 School Boards has decided to extend the search for its next superintendent into the new year.

The committee will continue to work with consulting firm BWP and Associates to assist with the search. Current Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Myers, will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Sincerely,

Eric Billittier, District 75 School Board

Emily Karl, District 75 School Board

Tom Ouimet, District 120 School Board

Linda Vecchie, District 120 School Board

Dan Crowe, Chief Information Officer

1. Can you share an example of how the shared services model has enabled more innovative educational solutions?
   Certainly, one example of this is how the transition to shared services has enabled us to merge both districts’ Google domains together. Now, incoming freshmen retain their existing Google accounts, files, and emails instead of starting with new empty Google accounts. This preserves their academic work history and ensures a seamless transition to high school.
   
   
2. How has this approach made our schools more adaptable to changing educational needs?
   The shared services approach has significantly enhanced our adaptability by consolidating our technology teams. When deploying new technology at one district, we can now leverage our entire combined tech team for faster implementation, rather than relying on limited individual staff. This unified model enables quicker tech rollouts, shared professional development opportunities, and more cost-effective access to educational tools. With our shared IT infrastructure, we can efficiently scale digital solutions as needs evolve.
   
   
3. How do you manage organization while juggling two districts?
   Of course being a tech geek, I obviously rely heavily on technology. Organization across two districts requires robust systems and clear communication. Having standardized processes and procedures across both districts streamlines operations and greatly reduces complexity. I rely heavily on our shared technology team to coordinate efforts and ensure consistent support across locations. Although technology is great, I find the greatest value in having regular check-ins with staff and admin at both districts to help prioritize needs.
   
   
4. How does communication flow between staff, administration, and stakeholders in both districts?
   Our Technology team uses a ticketing system to track requests and sends updates from both districts, ensuring transparent communication about service status and timelines. Weekly admin meetings synchronize priorities and initiatives between districts. Regular updates, tech tips and other information are shared with stakeholders through newsletters, email communications, and board meetings to keep everyone informed about shared initiatives and their impact.
   
   
5. What are some new tech innovations we should be looking out for in the near future?
   Two words… Artificial Intelligence! AI innovations have great potential to transform education and will offer personalized learning and teacher support. I'm fascinated by how these learning systems will personalize education, adjusting to each student's unique pace and style. What excites me most is how these tools will enhance our teachers’ capabilities, letting them spend more time on what matters most - inspiring students and providing essential human connection and guidance. While current AI tools are promising, we should expect significant improvements in their ability to understand student needs and support diverse learning styles in the coming years.