The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education at its June 9 meeting confirmed the appointment of Jane Boyd as Director of Special Education/Pupil Services effective July 1. Boyd will replace Jim Even, who is retiring after guiding District 64’s transition from the Maine Township Special Education Program (MTSEP) to a free-standing entity over the past three years.
Boyd has spent almost her entire career in special education, either in the classroom or as an administrator with expanding responsibilities. She comes to District 64 from West Chicago School District 33, where she has served since 2007 as Director of Student Services responsible for all special education programming for 4,100 students. During that time, she expanded the use of problem-solving methods and Response to Intervention (RtI) to better plan instruction to meet student needs. She also aligned staff development opportunities more clearly with district goals and increased access to the core curriculum for students with special needs.
“Our interview team found Boyd’s wide range of experiences gave her a great reservoir of knowledge, and that her excellent communications skills let her share that knowledge effectively, which is critical when working closely with teachers and when connecting with parents,” according to Superintendent Philip Bender. “Her focus on using research-based interventions and a problem-solving approach, which are fundamental to District 64’s goals, will let her move forward seamlessly with our students,” he added.
Previously, Boyd served as assistant director for student services in Batavia School District 101. She also provided special education consultation, supervision and support for Wheeling School District 21 through the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. In addition, she served as principal of a public day school within the Kendall County Special Education Cooperative and supervised special education programming for Indian Prairie School District 204. Earlier, she worked as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels at a variety of northern Illinois school districts, after starting her career initially as a middle school math teacher in Evanston.
A graduate of Pace University in Pleasantville, NY, Boyd received her special education certification from National-Louis University and her master’s degree and administrative certificate from Northern Illinois University. She also currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Aurora University in the certification program for special education directors.
Following the initial screening process, Boyd was selected for an interview with a team of District and building administrators, teachers, a school psychologist, the school health services facilitator, and a special education facilitator, along with incoming Superintendent Laurie Heinz before being selected for the post.