District 97 Appoints New HR Director

The Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board of Education Tuesday unanimously approved the appointment of Steve Cummins as the district’s director of human resources.

Cummins replaces Joanne Schochat, who announced her retirement in June, according to a news release from District 97.

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District 97 Superintendent Al Roberts said in a statement, "I believe (Cummins') wealth of experience and passionate commitment to education will contribute to the continued success of our faculty, staff and students.”

Prior to joining District 97, Cummins spent six years as the HR director for Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125. He also held several positions during his 19 years in Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary School District 102, including director of human resources, human resources coordinator and junior high teacher, according to the release.

Cummins earned his bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and his master's degree in School Business Management from Northern Illinois University.

Cummins, who lives in Buffalo Grove with his wife Sherrie, his daughter Sami, 14, and his son Sean, 11, said the outstanding reputations of the district and the Village of Oak Park played a "pivotal role" in his decision to apply for the position.

“I am incredibly pleased and proud to join a school system and community I respect and admire,” Cummins said. "I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and look forward to working closely and collaboratively with my new colleagues to build on the history of excellence that is the hallmark of District 97 and its schools.”

Cummins contract is for one year, with a base salary of $125,000. His official start date was Monday, July 29.