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Following an extensive search for a new superintendent, the Fremont School District 79 Board of Education Monday hired Dr. Jill Gildea to replace retiring superintendent Rick Taylor.
Dr. Gildea, currently superintendent of Harrison School District 36 in Wonder Lake, was selected from a pool of 42 candidates who were screened by the nationally recognized search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, of Glenview. The board considered six applicants and unanimously selected Dr. Gildea based on the superintendent profile laid out by staff, parents and board members.
“We are confident Dr. Gildea will continue with the great work that was begun by Dr. Taylor,” said Board President Sandra Bickley. “Dr. Gildea’s vision for our school district was inspiring. It was exactly what the Fremont community told our superintendent search firm they were seeking in a new leader.”
The board of education interviewed candidates based on what the Fremont community told the search firm it would like in a leader – fiscal responsibility, approachability, accessibility, fair-mindedness, and is a leader who has excellent communication skills, and who advocates and practices teamwork. While those qualities can be found in many leaders, parents and staff also said they wanted a superintendent who works well with different government agencies since this district’s future depends on collaborating with townships, municipalities, the county board, as well as building developers. District 79 encompasses 33 square miles within eight communities where there is much undeveloped land and the potential for student growth. The board sought a candidate for Fremont who would also need to possess the ability to define and execute a long-range plan for the future success of Fremont and its students. These long-range goals would include student achievement and financial planning, as well as staff training and development. The board also sought someone who would follow through with seeking alternative energy sources such as wind turbine generated electricity. “Dr. Gildea showed the board a wealth of knowledge and experience charged with energy and motivation that would take us to the next level that parents and staff expressed they wanted in a leader,” President Bickley said.
Of her appointment, Dr. Gildea, of Lakewood, said, “I am thrilled to be part of the Fremont family. I am excited to have a facility tour and to begin meeting administrators, staff and parents.”
In her current position, Dr. Gildea, said she has worked with staff, the community, government agencies, and developers on the expansion of boundaries of that district. Her current kindergarten through eighth grade district in which about 470 students are enrolled, is set for a sizeable amount of new homes planned there. In terms of planning for the future of Fremont students, Dr. Gildea said it would be her role as superintendent to facilitate focus groups that would include parents, staff, and board of education members, and to encourage them to share their vision of what an ideal school district should look like in five or 10 years. Then, it would be her role to see that those visions are put into strategic goals in the areas of curriculum, finances, technology, facilities, and professional development,
During her 22 years in education, Dr. Gildea has held the administrative positions of assistant superintendent for instruction and principal in Marengo-Union Elementary School District 165, and director of curriculum in Libertyville Elementary School District 70. Also, she has taught at the elementary, middle and high school settings.
Dr. Gildea received her superintendent's endorsement from National-Louis University, her doctorate in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University, her masters of education degree in language and literacy from National-Louis University, and her bachelor of arts degree in English and secondary education from Bradley University in Peoria.