New Hinsdale South Principal Selected

DARIEN, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Thursday selected a new principal for Hinsdale South High School.

Patrick Hardy, former principal for Proviso East High School in Maywood, is set to start July 1. That's when Arwen Pokorny Lyp resigns to take the same position at Downers Grove South High School.

The board approved a two-year contract for Hardy, with a salary of $176,000.

Hardy was the principal of Proviso East for six years until 2021. He has been the executive director of equity and student success for Oak Park and River Forest High School since last year. Hardy has also been the principal at Auburn High School in Rockford and Freeport High School in Freeport. He has 15 years of school administrative experience in all.

Hardy received his doctorate in education from Capella University in Minneapolis and his master's degree in education from Harvard. He also holds a doctorate in ministry from the Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia.

"The school and district have a long and proud history of academic excellence that reflects the high quality of instruction that is available to all students," Hardy said in a news release. "I hope to continue building on this strong foundation by working with the members of the South community to create a learning environment where every student feels welcomed, supported and empowered to reach their full potential."

In early January, the current principal, Arwen Pokorny Lyp, announced she would resign as principal June 30 and take the Downers Grove position.

Downers Grove South's enrollment of 2,700 students is more than double Hinsdale South's. Pokorny Lyp has been at Hinsdale South for 15 years.

On the seven-member school board, only member Cynthia Hanson lives in the South zone.