Oak Park Superintendent Pruitt-Adams To Go On Medical Leave

OAK PARK, IL — Oak Park School District 200 Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams has announced that she will take medical leave for back surgery at the start of the New Year. Recovery for the surgery takes three months, a release from District 2a00 said. Pruitt's leave will begin on January 8.

In a statement, Pruitt-Adams said, "I want to emphasize that my leave will not affect the instruction and services we provide for our students every single day." She's currently working with the school board to choose someone who will assume her duties while she recovers from surgery.

Pruitt-Adams shared the news at a recent all-staff meeting. She also gave an update on her licensure status. According to the release, when the superintendent was hired by District 200, she was still licensed in Missouri, where she worked as a superintendent for nine years. That license did not carry over, so she had to pass the Illinois superintendent exam, which she did shortly before she was brought on.

She did not, however pass the most challenging part of the exam, which is the math portion. Pruitt-Adams has until June 2018 to pass the math exam, so she's working to complete it before her medical leave, the release from District 99 said.

Board members and faculty offered their support to Pruitt-Adams in the face of her upcoming challenges. Faculty Senate Chair Sheila Hardin said that "no one is defined by a single test." She added that "

We judge people by their character and compassion, their professionalism, and their actions. That’s how I’ve come to know Dr. Pruitt-Adams and the people I’m looking at in the room today.”

Patch will keep you updated once the board and Pruitt-Adams decide who will take her responsibilities during her medical leave.

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