Shari Demitrowicz, the principal of Serena Hills School for the last five years, is leaving Flossmoor District 161 at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. Demitrowicz’s resignation was announced at the April 8 board of education meeting.
Shari Demitrowicz, the principal of Serena Hills School for the last five years, is leaving Flossmoor District 161 at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year.
leaving her position as
principal of Serena Hills
School to become
principal at Kankakee
High School.
Demitrowicz’s resignation was announced at the April 8 board of education meeting. She is leaving Serena Hills to become principal at Kankakee High School in the 2019-2020 school year. Her resignation becomes official June 30.
A replacement for Demitrowicz has yet to be named but the first round of candidate interviews was scheduled to begin April 18, according to a press release from the district.
“Dr. Demitrowicz has been a fantastic principal and member of the Serena Hills community, and an important leader in District 161,” said Superintendent Dana Smith. “We are sad to see her leave the district, but we wish her only the best in her new position.”
Demitrowicz’s tenure at Serena Hills includes significant accomplishments at the school, district officials said.
In addition to raising student achievement and increasing parent participation, Demitrowicz played an instrumental role bringing a Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) innovation lab to Serena Hills thanks to a generous donation from alumnus Allan DiCastro.
Demitrowicz said the students, staff and community in District 161 and at Serena Hills will always have a place in her heart.
“While I am excited about the opportunity that awaits me, it is with great sadness that I say goodbye to a very special place,” she said.
“I will forever cherish the many relationships I have made. I am honored to have been a part of such an extraordinary educational team so dedicated and committed to helping each and every child reach their full potential.”
Smith, District 161 administrators and the board of education have already identified a set of clear expectations that will be the standard for Demitrowicz’s replacement, and expect to fill the position quickly.
Demitrowicz is the third District 161 principal to resign since the middle of March. The district has five schools and serves Flossmoor and sections of Homewood, Olympia Fields, Hazel Crest and Chicago Heights.
Parker Junior High School principal Fred Hunter resigned at a special school board meeting on March 18. Amabel Crawford, who is currenty serving as the district’s director of learning and curriculum, was appointed principal of Parker for the upcoming school year.
On March 19 the district announced Western Avenue School principal Lisa Dallaqua’s resignation. She is headed for East Aurora District 131, where she will be executive director of curriculum, data and accountability.
Hunter and Dallaqua will serve in their positions in District 161 until the end of June.