District 65 HR Director Named Superintendent In Golf School District 67

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Human Resources Director Beth Sagett-Flores will take over as superintendent in Golf School District 67 this summer.

Sagett-Flores, who holds a doctorate of education in school administration, began her career as a teacher and principal in the Chicago Public Schools, then served seven years as principal of Lincolnwood School in Evanston-Skokie District 65.

A mentor suggested she try moving to Human Resources in order to get more administrative experience to prepare to be a superintendent. She followed through, and currently serves as HR Director in District 65, which has 17 schools and about 1,250 employees in multiple bargaining units.

When Saggett-Flores officially starts in District 67 on July 1, she'll be walking into a construction zone. She will likely have to work off-site, she said, because major renovation projects are going on at two of the district's schools.

Not only that, but she will need to hire a new principal and a new business manager--and she knows she will be leading a district in which voters three times have defeated referendum requests to increase the tax rate. (A construction referendum did pass; hence the construction work.)

Far from being daunted, Sagett-Flores can hardly wait to get started.

"I'm extremely excited, and I look forward to it," she said. "A smaller district is very appealing to me, because it will be very hands-on. 

"I look forward to being back in schools and dealing with instruction and curriculum issues. I know they have some challenges, and I look forward to that."