Dist. 102 names new leader to replace retiring Mink

The superintendent of Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102, hired four years ago, announced this week that he will retire at the end of the next school year.

Dr. Jon Mink joined the district in 2004 after he had already served as superintendent at West Chicago Elementary District 33 for five years and, prior to that, was superintendent at Puffer-Hefty School District 69 in Downers Grove for two years. In his 34-year career, Mink has also worked as a teacher, dean and elementary principal.

Now that he's close to retiring, which is required after a certain number of years in the pension system, Mink said he'll search for a second career.

"I don't know what that is yet," he said. "My family is all in the area, so I don't plan to move."

The school board on Monday chose Theresa Dunkin as Mink's successor. She has been working as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the district for the past five years. Prior to that, she worked as a teacher and then a principal.

She said she has similar goals to what Mink had when he first started in the job.

"I will be connecting and engaging in a dialogue with the community," she said.

She said Mink also re-visited the strategic plan with the community when he started in 2004, and she wants to do that once again.

"That's very important to this community and this board of education, that future goal-setting process," she said. "We'll continue to value that."

Mink said the district caters to parents who care deeply about what happens at the schools, which made him realize what a great opportunity he had working there.

"There is so much parent involvement, very bright kids, a superior staff, and it all works so well together," he said. "It's a community that expects excellence and there's every condition here that allows for it."

Mink and Dunkin will work together for the next year to create a smooth transition for a new superintendent, he said.

"It's the optimal environment to end your career," he said of District 102. "I'm very appreciative for the best five years of my career."