Skokie School Superintendent Honored By Cook County Colleagues

SKOKIE, IL —The Illinois Association of School Administrators named the superintendent of Fairview School District 72 as the 2019 Superintendent of Distinction for its north Cook County region. Superintendent Cindy Whittaker was honored at an awards luncheon Thursday in Springfield, where outstanding superintendents from each IASA region throughout the state were recognized.

Whittaker, of Northfield, has been an educator for 26 years and has spent the last 14 as superintendent of the Skokie district, according to IASA.

“I was completely surprised when the award was presented to me,” Whittaker said, in a release. “Over the years, I have relied on so many mentors and this award really is an indication of their impact to me. These lifelong educators helped me all along the way by sharing their wisdom and providing me with guidance as a young superintendent. This award belongs to all of them. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

Notable successes during her time in charge have included building a diverse staff to serve a community where more than 60 languages are spoken, establishing an English language parent center to support families and help understand the American public school system and lowering the tax burden by setting aside enough money to eliminate its debts, according to her nomination from fellow northern Cook County superintendents.

District 72 includes one school, two principals and 731 students, according to the ISBE Illinois Report Card. Graduates of the kindergarten through eighth grade school at 7040 N. Laramie Ave. enter Niles West High School with the highest test scores of any district that feeds into Niles Township High School District 219, according to the nomination. Fairview has also been named a distinguished district by Project Lead the Way and was selected for four consecutive years to take part in the Museum of Science and Industry's Science Leadership Initiative.

Brent Clarke, the executive director of the state superintendents' association, said each of the 21 superintendents recognized at the fifth annual event were picked by their peers based on their leadership and dedication.

"These extraordinary individuals truly provide exceptional leadership that elevates the success of students in their districts and are difference makers in their communities," Clark said.