The Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education appointed Dr. Karen Sullivan as the next Superintendent of Schools. 
Dr. Sullivan is a familiar face in District 204, with 18 years of experience in the areas of special education, human resources, and leading schools. Since 2011, she has served as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. In her current role, she has established a strong working relationship with the associations that represent the teaching and clerical staff. As lead negotiator, she has successfully negotiated contracts with both groups.
She also served as the first Principal of Prairie Children Preschool and Principal of Cowlishaw Elementary School, as well as Director of Student Services. While at Cowlishaw Elementary School, she increased overall student achievement by 12 to 15 percent and narrowed the achievement gap at a school with a growing diverse student population.
Dr. Sullivan also gained experience working in Elmhurst Community School District 205, where she served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. While there, she implemented an intervention system used to better support students with special needs. She also facilitated the incorporation of Common Core State Standards into the district’s curriculum.
Dr. Sullivan began her career in 1981 as a Speech/Language Pathologist in the Flossmoor-based South Metropolitan Association, a special education cooperative that provided services to south suburban school districts. She went on to lead the group’s parent/infant program and later was named the Director of Grants and Special Projects.
The Board of Education conducted a national search with the assistance of Iowa-based Ray and Associates, Inc. to select its next superintendent. Board President Lori Price said the national search was an important part of the process. “Although we had an internal candidate, we wanted to make sure we measured that candidate against top-notch school leaders from around the country. Through that process, we found Dr. Sullivan continued to rise to the top. We are giving the community an outstanding superintendent.”
Dr. Sullivan received her doctoral degree from Lewis University. From the University of Illinois, she earned a Master of Science in Speech/Language Pathology and a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science.
The Superintendent’s contract will be available on www.ipsd.org on Tues., Feb. 11.
In addition, District 204 community members are invited to meet Sullivan during a reception from 5 to 6PM Tuesday at Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.
District 204 Names Two Principals
At its February 10, 2014 meeting, the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education appointed two longtime educators to principal posts. Michael Dutdut, assistant principal at Crone Middle School, was appointed principal of Hill Middle School, replacing Darrell Echols, who is the new principal of Metea Valley High School. Laurel Hillman, student services coordinator at White Eagle Elementary School, was appointed principal of Fry Elementary School, replacing Dave Younce, who is leaving the district.
Superintendent Kathy Birkett said, “We are so fortunate to have such dedicated, student-focused educators, who are willing to take on new leadership roles within our district.”
Dutdut taught language arts, science and history at Still Middle School and then served as a dean at Waubonsie Valley High School, prior to moving to his current position at Crone. He also coached football, track and Special Olympics. He has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Francis.
Hillman started her career in 1995 in District 204 as a third grade teacher at Georgetown Elementary School, where she was also student services coordinator until 2003 when she moved to White Eagle Elementary School in the same role. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Aurora University.
Dutdut and Hillman will begin their new positions July 1.
