The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Steven Perkins as the new principal of Herrick Middle School during the Board’s June 10 meeting. He will begin July 1, 2024.
“He brings to the team strong, collaborative leadership skills that are student-centered. He is a strong, accomplished leader who has a wealth of knowledge about working with all stakeholders and instructional practices,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “Our interview team members were impressed with his warm, positive communication style, his empathy and humility, the value he placed on connections with students, staff and families and his clear investment in education.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to be a part of the Herrick School team and community,” said Dr. Perkins in addressing the Board Monday. “I appreciate the passion and care that currently exists in Downers 58, and I hope to be able to add a positive, communicative, and transparent lens to the building to foster student success.”
Dr. Perkins is currently an associate principal in Arlington Heights District 25 and an adjunct instructor at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Public Policy. He has been an associate principal for eight years at District 25’s South Middle School, a 6-8th grade school, which has an enrollment of 900 students. He serves as the lead in all administrative matters for one grade level, including coaching/mentoring staff, implementing initiatives, evaluating and hiring staff, running operations and logistics of the building and managing master schedules.
Dr. Perkins earned his doctorate in educational leadership from National Louis University, a master of arts in teacher leadership from Drake University and a bachelor of arts in education, also from Drake. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher in Des Moines Iowa.
District 58 received a significant amount of interest in this position from many highly qualified candidates, said Dr. Russell. The interview process comprised rounds of team interviews with staff and administrators, including two Herrick parents and two Herrick staff members.
While the timeline was compressed, the District conducted the same process as in past administrative hirings. After multiple rounds of interviews that included two Herrick parents and five Herrick staff members as well as building and district administrators, the District identified three strong semi-finalist candidates, and ultimately two finalists. After final interviews, the District brought Dr. Perkins’ recommendation to the Board.
Dr. Perkins has shared how excited he is to be a part of Herrick. Throughout the interview process, he shared his desire to become invested in the Herrick community for years to come. Further, he is excited to work closely with students, staff, and families as the District begins to prepare to move sixth graders to the middle schools in the fall of 2026.