The District 233 school board voted on Thursday, Nov. 7, to appoint Dr. Jennifer Norrell its next superintendent. She will replace Scott Wakeley who is retiring.
The board awarded her a three-year contract at a salary of $282,000. She starts July 1, 2025. Norrell is currently superintendent at East Aurora District 131 serving students pre-kindergarten through high school.
Over her more than 25 years in education, she has received numerous honors and offered her expertise to the Illinois State Board of Education, mentored educators across the country, and is serving on the College Board’s National Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Norrell, who grew up in the South Suburbs and is a graduate of Hillcrest High School, said she is happy to be returning to the area and is excited to take the reins of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The traditions and legacy of H-F are what drew her back to the area.
“I am so happy to join the H-F family. Thank you, H-F community. I promise I won’t let you down,” she told the gathering of about three dozen friends and family members and H-F staff who gathered for the announcement.
Alma Group helped the school board with its search for a new leader. An estimated 75 people applied for the position. That was winnowed down to 50 people who got first interviews with Alma representatives, said board member Chris Riedel who with board member Pam Jackson shepherded the search.
The group was reduced to 20 candidates, and then seven semi-finalists before the three finalists were selected. Alma Group hosted meetings off campus for the finalists where they got a chance to talk to the various constituencies – students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and community supporters.
Norrell said she and her husband, Vernon Cole, will be relocating back to the area. They previously lived in Flossmoor and their daughter had been a student at Infant Jesus of Prague and Heather Hill Schools. They moved away in 2018 when she accepted the superintendent’s position in East Aurora. Her mother, Antoinette Norrell, still resides in Hazel Crest.
During an interview for Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s VTV, Norrell said, “My favorite component of facilitating education is working with young people. That is truly my passion … So I really believe in pushing all students to do great things, and to find out what barriers need to be removed to make sure that happens.”
Norrell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; a Master of Education from St. Xavier University in Chicago, and a Doctorate of Education and superintendent certification from Loyola University Chicago. She has taught at St. Xavier University and Governors State University.
