On Monday, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Superintendent Dr. Eric Olson announced that he will resign at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, with his last day being June 30th.
“I've been honored to serve our community the past four years, and I wish the best for the district throughout my remaining time here and beyond,” said Dr. Olson.
“I will leave proud of the administrative team we were able to form in my four years in the district. Combined with an excellent staff, we have continued to educate the students of District 64 towards greater success, and despite the pandemic, our students continue to make strong gains,” said Dr. Olson in his resignation letter to the D64 Board of Education.
Since joining District 64 in 2019, Dr. Olson has been a collaborative force in moving District 64 forward. He effectively navigated the District through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. He oversaw the addition of full-day kindergarten, a project that involved six different buildings, and the relocation of the district office.
District 64 finances remain strong, and the curriculum continues to evolve toward stronger instruction and resources. Under Dr. Olson’s leadership, a rich Strategic Plan was implemented and on the horizon is a Student Services Action Plan that will focus on specific special education goals.
The District 64 Board expressed its deep appreciation for the dedication and service that Dr. Olson provided to the community during his tenure. "He served the District with ethics and integrity," said the Board of Education in a statement.
Dr. Olson will aid in the transition process as the Board will now search for a new superintendent.
In his resignation letter, Dr. Olson wrote to the D64 Board, “Despite our irreconcilable differences, I am thankful for the opportunity to proudly serve the staff and families of the Park Ridge-Niles community. I’ve formed many lasting relationships, and I will always champion the students and staff of District 64. There is still much work to be done to finish out the rest of the school year and to prepare for the next one.”
Before being tabbed as the District 64 Superintendent, Dr. Olson was the Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning at Arlington Heights School District 25 for five years. Prior to that, he served as the Principal for a total of eight years at Patton Elementary School and Elm Place Middle School.
"The District 64 Board will now search for a leader who will execute the strategic plan and is confident Dr. Olson will invest in a seamless transition," stated the District 64 Board. "We thank the community for its patience during this process."