Hiring not one but two people after an extensive interview process isn’t unprecedented, but it’s not exactly common either.
But when you know, you know.
After accepting 50 applications for the principal’s position at S.E. Gross Middle School, a panel of Brookfield-La Grange Park School District 95 administrators, teachers and parents interviewed 25 candidates one-on-one. They ultimately settled on two to take the helm of school leadership in 2025-26.
Lauren Colberg, current S.E. Gross assistant principal, will become the new principal, replacing Jeff Tumpane, who is moving on to the district offices as director of operations. Colberg’s replacement will be David Parolin, who is finishing his third year as assistant principal at Elm Middle School in Elmwood Park.
“Through this process it was clear both of these individuals have qualities that could push S.E. Gross forward,” said Ryan Evans, district deputy superintendent, who will become superintendent July 1, replacing current superintendent Dr. Mark Kuzniewski, who is retiring.
“When you have strong recommendations for both of those candidates, and hearing statements like, ‘It would be great if we had both of those people at the school,’ that guided that decision,” he said.
Colberg graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 2004 and returned to the area about a year ago after many years in Philadelphia as a teacher and administrator, beginning her tenure there with the two-year Teach for America program after graduating from Bradley University. Along the way, she acquired a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I have been in education for 16 years and being a principal has always been my goal, and I can’t think of a better school community to become principal and meet this lifelong goal,” Colberg said. “I’m thrilled I am able to help drive the educational programming at school.”
Colberg will be overseeing a building with about 450 students, grades six through eight, along with early childhood three- and four-year-old learners and three special education cooperative classrooms through the La Grange Area Department of Special Education.
“It has been so fun to see all the different levels of learning that we have in the building,” Colberg said. “While this is S.E. Gross Middle School, it’s a school for so many kids. Little kids see it as their school, big kids see it as their school, everyone feels like they are part of the community.”
Evans said that Colberg brings a deep knowledge of educational leadership and instructional coaching to her new role.
“This is a place where we want to go with the district, making sure our staff members have everything they need to be successful in the classroom,” he said, adding the school will undergo a construction project this summer to add four early childhood classrooms and a Family and Consumer Science (FACS) lab.
Colberg is also believed to be the first female principal in S.E. Gross’s 130-year history, though that distinction is more anecdotal since the records from the school’s early years aren’t very reliable.
Parolin, who like Colberg lives locally, said he was excited to emerge from the interview process with a leadership partnership with her. He said he brings plenty from his current role at Elm Middle School into his new position.
“I like to think that I bring in an evolved perspective,” he said. “I value all of my historical experiences up to this point. But I don’t come in with any pre-conceived ideas. I come with fresh eyes and learn and be respectful to the processes that exist there.
“You want to be sensitive to the great people there and support them. You have to come in with that mindset.”
Tumpane was principal at S.E. Gross for one year, after 10 as assistant principal. He learned a lot in his only year at the helm, and as for his advice to Colberg and Parolin, it’s simple. Kids first.
“I think we always remind ourselves as educators, put students at the forefront of every decision that’s made,” Tumpane said. “Part of what makes this a special place is we have this strong community.”
As for Colberg and Parolin, message received.
“When I met Dave, I was immediately assured this was a great move,” she said. “We’re going to make S.E. Gross a powerhouse. It’s going to be a great next chapter.”
D95 school board appointments
There has been strong community interest in the three open Brookfield-La Grange Park School District 95 Board of Education seats that must be filled by appointment due to a lack of candidates for the April 1 general election.
Election day showed four open seats, with incumbent Jackie Jordan, board vice president, the only candidate on the ballot. Incumbent board members Barb Garvey, Jessica Filby and Meaghan Allen, board secretary, elected not to run again.
That meant the existing board – president Katie Mulcrone, Jordan and board members Kristin Reingruber and Elizabeth Loerop – would have 60 days starting late April to appoint three new members.
A communication from deputy superintendent Ryan Evans on April 11 asking community members to consider applying for one of the three seats resulted in 10 letters of interest within a week, according to Mulcrone. Community members have until May 5 to send in their letter of interest along with their resume.
Evans noted in his communication that the board was expected to formalize appointments at its June 12 meeting. He also added that “letters of interest may include, but are not limited to, relevant experience to school board leadership, your desire for wanting to serve on the board, current or past experiences with District 95, and your current profession.”
Materials should be submitted to Evans by email at revans@district95.org or by mail to the district office at 3724 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513.
Mulcrone said the key for anyone interested in pursuing a board seat is to be “someone with an open mind.”
“I think we’re looking for someone who is looking to give their opinion, speak up, offer insights,” Mulcrone said. “I think somebody that can bring an interesting perspective possibly outside of education or within education that can help us make decisions.”
She said the response to Evans’ communication has been encouraging.
“I recommend it,” she said. “You get to really understand our district, what our teachers do and administers do, what the kids need. We are in a great financial situation, so we’re not dealing with issues other districts have to work through.
“Everyone is looking out for the best for all the students. We’re not going to agree on everything, but we’re always looking out for everyone and you can’t beat that.”
-Gregg Voss