Dr. Kevin Russell, a veteran educator with nearly 20 years experience as a teacher and administrator, will serve as Downers Grove Grade School District 58’s next superintendent of schools, effective July 1, 2019. The District 58 Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Russell’s five-year District 58 superintendent contract during a special meeting on Monday, April 1.
“We are proud to appoint Dr. Kevin Russell as superintendent of District 58. Dr. Russell began his career as a social studies teacher right here at O’Neill Middle School, and we are excited to welcome him back as superintendent,” said Board President Doug Purcell.
Dr. Russell presently serves as the superintendent of Chicago Ridge School District 127.5, a position he has held with distinction since 2014. In this role, he successfully collaborated with all stakeholders to carry out a comprehensive five-year Strategic Plan that enhanced District 127.5’s curriculum, instruction, finances, facilities, technology and public relations.
Previously, Dr. Russell held several leadership roles in Community Consolidated School District 181 in Clarendon Hills, including the assistant superintendent of learning and the director of curriculum, assessment and instruction. He also served as the principal of Walker Elementary School and the assistant principal of Clarendon Hills Middle School, both in District 181.
Dr. Russell’s appointment to the District 58 superintendent role marks an exciting return to his roots. Dr. Russell’s education career began in District 58, where he spent seven years as a social studies teacher at O’Neill Middle School. In addition, he grew up in Woodridge and attended Downers Grove North High School.
“I am truly honored and excited to return home to District 58 to serve as superintendent of schools,” Dr. Russell said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, the Board of Education, parents and community members to build on the strong traditions of the district, implement the Strategic Plan, and help all students reach their fullest potential.”
Dr. Russell is also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Francis, an executive board member for the South Cook County Illinois Association of School Administrators, and an executive board member at large for the Superintendents Round Table. In the last four years, Dr. Russell has given eight educational leadership presentations at several major education conferences in Illinois.
Dr. Russell earned his doctor of education degree and his administrative certificate in educational leadership from Aurora University. He also earned a master of education degree in curriculum and instruction from National-Louis University, a bachelor degree in history from Northern Illinois University, and completed a fellowship at the Illinois School for Advanced Leadership.
Dr. Russell lives in Lisle with his wife, Melissa, who is a middle school math teacher, and their seven children.
Dr. Russell will replace current District 58 Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli, who will leave District 58 on June 30, 2019 to begin the superintendent position in Wilmette District 39. Dr. Cremascoli has led District 58 through a period of strong academic growth and fiscal responsibility since 2012.
The Board’s appointment of Dr. Russell concludes an extensive national superintendent search that yielded more than 40 applications and included several rounds of intense interviews. The superintendent search also invited all stakeholders to share their vision for District 58’s next leader. More than 930 stakeholders completed the superintendent survey, and several others participated in in-person focus groups. This input helped the School Board’s search firm, BWP & Associates, create a leadership profile to identify candidates that best fit the District 58 community’s needs.
“The Board would like to thank the community for their input throughout this extensive search process. Insights gained from the community survey and various focus groups helped to inform the blueprint of the superintendent profile, which guided the Board’s decision-making throughout this highly competitive process,” Purcell said. "For example, the survey and focus groups clearly showed that this community valued a candidate with experience as both a teacher and a superintendent, and the Board took that input seriously in making its decision.”
In the coming weeks, District 58 will announce opportunities for the public to meet and greet with Dr. Russell.