District 157-C: New Superintendent Will Be 'Visionary Instructional Leader'

Frankfort School District 157-C has a new leader, after the board unanimously approved a three-year contract with Dr. Maura Zinni during a special meeting Monday. 

The board whittled down a list of 48 applicants, to eight finalists, to its ultimate selection of Zinni. Zinni comes to the district from Lombard District 44, where she has served as Assistant Superintendent of Learning since 2009.

"Dr. Zinni will be a strong and visionary instructional leader, an engaging and visible member of the community, an effective communicator, a steward of the taxpayer’s funds, and someone who will respect our traditions while continuing to move forward as we serve each and every child in Frankfort," said Board President Christopher R. McFadden as he introduced Dr. Zinni to the audience. 

Zinni, a native of Lansing, Ill., called the opportunity to lead the district "truly a privilege.

"I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, beginning what I hope will be a long and successful career with District 157-C," Zinni said, after the board's vote.

Months of community feedback, focus groups and individual meetings preceded the board's choice, with administrators chipping in extra hours and effort, McFadden said. 

"We're really happy you're going to be joining us," he told Zinni. 

Zinni, whose annual salary will be $168,606, has extensive experience in the regular- and special-education settings.  In her role as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Lombard District 44, where she has worked collaboratively with the Superintendent’s cabinet and leadership team to improve the overall learning experience for all students.  Dr. Zinni also has leadership experience with the tenets of Professional Learning Communities, Response to Intervention plans, and curriculum aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards incorporating the Common Core.  She helped initiate a mobile technology learning program and an iPad pilot program in early elementary classrooms.  She also is the district’s director of the “Rising Star” program, and she serves as liaison to Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) programs for school improvement support.

Prior to her employment in Lombard, she served as the Director of Curriculum and Assessments in Central CUSD District 301 in Burlington, Ill., a Principal of Thomas A. Edison School in Skokie District 69, an Assistant Principal at Stuart R. Paddock School in Palatine District 15, a general and special education teacher in District 90 at Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest, and a general education and reading specialist teacher in District 201U in Crete.

Dr. Zinni earned a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University, a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois, a Master’s Degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois.  She is also qualified to evaluate teachers and principals under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act. 

"The stellar academic profile of Frankfort is very attractive," Zinni said, of what drew her to the district. "It's a progressive district, but maintains that hometown feel." 

Set to begin July 1, Zinni added she looks forward to digging into the district's new strategic plan, as its current version expires soon. She is also eager to work with the teachers to help tackle new Common Core standards. 

"We're all held to this new level of preparedness," Zinni said. "We have to keep a watchful eye on our testing."

She aims to meet with the district's teachers, speak with them collectively, and shape their view of the students. 

"We need to talk about them collectively," Zinni said. "As 'our' students, not just one class."