CCSD59 Superintendent of Schools Update
Community Consolidated School District 59 (CCSD59) will soon begin a search for the next district superintendent whose tenure will begin on July 1, 2021. The CCSD59 Board of Education will discuss the search process at the July 13, 2020, CCSD59 Board of Education meeting.
Current CCSD59 Superintendent, Dr. Art Fessler, has served the district as superintendent since 2013. Dr. Fessler continues to be a thought leader in the field of education, and with his visionary foundational work and updated district strategic plan in place, Dr. Fessler will conclude his tenure as CCSD59 Superintendent at the end of his contract term in June 2021. CCSD59 will seek new leadership during the 2020-21 school year to ensure a smooth transition on its path of continuous improvement in preparing students to be successful for life.
The district has grown significantly under Dr. Fessler’s leadership. His focus on supporting the district’s youngest learners resulted in the construction of the Early Learning Center to improve the delivery of services and expand enrollment, as well as the implementation of full day kindergarten in all schools. Dr. Fessler also oversaw the expansion of the district’s popular Spanish and Polish dual language programs into additional district schools.
Dr. Fessler also transitioned the district to a more progressive, evidence-based approach to teaching and learning. In support of this transition, math and literacy coaches were made available in the district’s 14 schools to support teachers and students as the district implemented a model that emphasizes problem-based application of knowledge and student choice. Social emotional learning needs of the district’s highly diverse population have also been addressed through explicit programming and the hiring of additional social workers and psychologists, in addition to the establishment of a community engagement model that led to hiring community outreach specialists. Dr. Fessler’s visioning work laid a foundation for the district to strengthen and expand upon, up to and beyond the expiration of his contract in June 2021.
The CCSD59 Board of Education is deeply grateful to Dr. Fessler for his service. We look forward to his implementation of the new strategic plan during the 2020-21 school year, and his accomplishments will be felt throughout CCSD59 for years to come.