Angela Dolezal, the Director of Teaching and Learning at Riverside Elementary School District 96, is a finalist for the superintendent job in Oak Park Elementary School District 97.
Dolezal and Terri Bresnahan, the superintendent of Community Consolidated School District 54, which serves the southern portion of Arlington Heights and portions of Elk Grove, Mount Prospect, and Des Plaines went through their final interviews with the District 97 school board on Feb. 2. The Oak Park District 97 Board of Education is likely to announce its hire next week, perhaps at its Feb. 10 school board meeting.
Dolezal came to District 96 in 2019 after working for two years as a teacher and 13 years as a principal in Oak Park’s District 97.
She said the District 97 job is the only superintendent position she has ever applied for.
“I am deeply committed to the work we are doing in Riverside,” Dolezal told the Landmark in a text message. “At the same time, having spent 15 years in Oak Park, the opportunity to be considered for this role felt meaningful and worth thoughtful exploration. Oak Park remains a community that shaped my leadership and continues to hold a special place for me.”
Dolezal lived in Oak Park during the 15 years that she worked for District 97 but moved to North Riverside three years ago.
District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye declined to comment about Dolezal possibly leaving District 96.
Former Hollywood School principal Kim Hefner, who now teaches at L.J. Hauser Junior High School, spoke highly of Dolezal’s work at District 96.
“She’s a great listener and leader,” Hefner said in a text message.
