Downers Grove Grade School District 58 announces that Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli has accepted an offer to serve as the superintendent of Wilmette School District 39. After seven years of service in District 58, Dr. Cremascoli will plan to transition to her new position July 1, 2019.
“It has been my honor and distinct privilege to serve this incredible community of learners over the past seven years,” Dr. Cremascoli said. “I have proudly called District 58 and Downers Grove my home, and I am grateful for the amazing opportunities and accomplishments we have realized together during this time. I have been humbled by the support and partnerships with our teachers, parents and community members in support of our students’ growth, and I am so very proud of our students’ successes. While I am excited to take on the new challenges and opportunities within my new role in District 39, I will forever look back fondly at my time in District 58. It’s been a great honor to serve this outstanding community.”
Dr. Cremascoli has served District 58 since July 2012. During her tenure, she successfully led the District’s efforts to achieve its 2011 Strategic Plan goals, which focused on student learning and curriculum, instructional technology, social-emotional learning and facilities/finance. This past year, Dr. Cremascoli led the District through a new strategic planning process as it launched its Vision 58 Strategic Plan, which charts the path for the District to achieve three big ambitious goals: Focusing on Learning, Connecting the Community, and Securing the Future..
Under Dr. Cremascoli’s leadership, District 58 increased student growth and differentiated instruction while strengthening its district-wide social-emotional learning curriculum, implementing new math and English-language arts curriculum resources, and launching its 1-to-1 technology program. The District also initiated several new programs, including the Biliteracy Program, the Optional Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program, math acceleration, various specialized programs for special education students, instructional coaching for teachers and NWEA MAP benchmark assessments. The District completed a myriad of capital improvement projects, added security enhancements to all schools, negotiated several collective bargaining agreements, and maintained a balanced budget with the highest financial recognition from the State despite economic challenges.
Throughout her service, Dr. Cremascoli has kept students at the center of her work. She is passionate about supporting the growth of all students and nurturing highly engaging, child-centered learning environments. She frequently visits schools and extracurricular events, and has recently helped to launch several community engagement efforts focused on collaboration and ongoing District improvements.
In the 2018 Illinois Report Card, all District 58 schools earned high marks from the State, with 11 of the district’s 13 schools earning an “Exemplary” rating and two schools earning a “Commendable” rating. Only one other DuPage County school district had a higher percentage of schools earn the “Exemplary” designation.
“Dr. Cremascoli has served District 58 with tremendous distinction, and I appreciate the work she’s achieved on behalf of all students, our faculty and our community at large,” said Board of Education President Doug Purcell. “We are disappointed to lose her, but we wish her the very best in her future endeavors. She will undoubtedly be successful in her new role.”
The District 58 School Board will meet after winter break to begin planning the search for a new superintendent. The Board plans to conduct an intensive search to identify the right candidate to serve as District 58’s next leader.