New Assistant Superintendent For Student Learning Named For District 99

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Community High School District 99 has named Dr. Kate Morris as its new assistant superintendent of student learning. Morris will replace Gina Ziccardi, who is set to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Morris comes to District 99 from Plainfield Consolidated School District 202, where she is currently the director of high school curriculum and instruction. She got her start as an English teacher before serving as Plainfield East High School's associate principal for curriculum and division chair for humanities.

An Illinois Wesleyan University alum, Morris earned a bachelor's degree in English literature and secondary education before earning her masters degree in education administration at Olivet Nazarene University. Morris also holds a masters degree in in English from Southern New Hampshire University. She earned her doctorate degree at National Louis University.

Morris's experience with district leadership was among the factors District 99 staff and administrators considered when choosing her as the assistant superintendent of student learning.

“Kate is an accomplished school leader whose background provides the perspective we need to guide our principals, instructional leaders and district teams to evolve our instruction,” District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele said in a statement.

Thiele added, "I am confident she will add immediate value to the district’s leadership team and will play a key role in shaping the future of student learning in District 99."

Morris said in a statement that she's "excited for the opportunity to become part of the District 99 community and to serve in this role, bringing my learned experience in data analysis, resource management and systems leadership."

She added, "I’m deeply committed to District 99’s mission and look forward to supporting schools through strategic, data-informed decisions that help close achievement gaps and expand opportunities for all students."

Morris will start her role as assistant superintendent of student learning on July 1.