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High-ranking Glenbard administrator stepping down

Just weeks after starting a job that was the result of a recent promotion, a top Glenbard High School District 87 administrator has resigned unexpectedly to take a position in another district.

Terri Hanrahan began work as Glenbard's coordinator of teaching and learning and Title I facilitator on July 1 after spending six years as principal of Glenbard South and two years as assistant principal for instruction at Glenbard East.

Hanrahan stepped down from the districtwide Glenbard position on July 16 after accepting an offer to become assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Plano District 88.

It's the same school district that drew away Hector Garcia, former Glenbard assistant superintendent for instruction, to become its superintendent in 2012. Hanrahan's resignation was made public this week on Glenbard's personnel report, which was approved Monday by the school board.

She said she was drawn to the new position because she gets to work with Garcia again after having a good working relationship with him in Glenbard. She also was drawn to the position's focus on curriculum instruction.

But she says she'll miss Glenbard.

“I had eight great years at Glenbard. I'm very grateful to have had that opportunity,” Hanrahan said. “I worked with wonderful people there. Glenbard South will always be a significant place for me. I love the school. I really enjoyed the kids and parents and staff.”

When Hanrahan accepted the district appointment in March, she told the Daily Herald her ultimate career goal was to become an assistant superintendent.

Rod Molek, Glenbard's assistant superintendent for human resources, said Hanrahan gave him “a head's up” that she was going to be interviewing for another position.

“Of course we weren't going to stand in her way,” Molek said. “She was in the district office here, but was not a superintendent, but a director ... This (Plano District 88) job is the job Terri really wanted. Her goal was to become an assistant superintendent.”

But he says the timing of Hanrahan's departure makes it more difficult to attract candidates for the position she leaves behind with the first day of school less than two weeks away.

“The timing really shrinks your pool because there are several qualified people who, if this was a February or March posting, would be interested,” Molek said. “It's tough to leave at this late date from a position you're currently in.”

Shelley Taylor announced early this year that she was stepping down as teaching and learning coordinator and Title I facilitator to take a job at the Consortium for Educational Change, a Lombard-based nonprofit organization aimed at improving student learning and achievement. Hanrahan's appointment to the position was made in March, even though she didn't officially begin the job until July.

The person appointed as Glenbard teaching and learning coordinator will oversee the district's instructional coach program, professional development programs for teachers, and Response to Intervention program for students struggling academically. As Title I facilitator, the person will be responsible for handling roughly $1 million in federal educational grants intended for schools with low-income populations.

Molek said district officials are currently in the process of interviewing final candidates for the job. Internal and external candidates have applied. Someone could be offered the job within the next two weeks, with an official ratification by the school board on Aug. 26 — the first day of school.

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