Fioretti recognized for 15 years' service to public education

More than 15 years ago, Mary Fioretti came across a report about students in Chicago Public Schools who lacked basic athletic supplies.

At the time, Fioretti's friend was running a fundraiser for Charles Quentin Elementary School in Palatine.

Fioretti's friend asked her to help, and she agreed, with one condition: half the proceeds would go to students in Chicago Public Schools "so they have a football to play with," Fioretti recalled this week.

"And that's how it happened," Fioretti said, explaining how she first got involved in public education.

For her 15-year effort to improve public schools in Illinois, Fioretti has been named Illinois' Public Relations Ambassador of the Year.

The Illinois chapter of the National School Public Relations Association awards the honor to a person who has ardently promoted public education in the state.

Fioretti was chosen from among 40 people across the state who received Distinguished Service Awards.

Fioretti, former president of the Community Unit District 300 school board, learned of the honor at a banquet for the service award honorees last month.

"I'm listening to all these other people in the room and thinking, 'these people have done so much more than me,'" Fioretti recalled.

Then she heard her name.

"This couldn't possibly be for me. I couldn't believe it," Fioretti said. "It was amazing."

Fioretti, who is chairman of the District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence, said the award recognizes her service in District 300 and her work on education funding reform.

"It's just a huge recognition because supporting education sometimes is a job that's thankless," Fioretti said.

Algonquin Village Manager Bill Ganek, District 300 Superintendent Ken Arndt and district spokeswoman Allison Smith nominated Fioretti for the award.

"In working with her both in my profession, and also working with her on the foundation, her love for the school district is unquestionable," said Ganek, who has served on the foundation board for three years. "She's just a real pleasure to work with and is part of the reason the foundation continues to be successful."

Fioretti's work started 15 years ago, when she moved to District 300 and began volunteering at Neubert Elementary School.

After that, she started the Volunteers for Students Foundation, which placed some 40 adult volunteers and thousands of books in east-side elementary schools.

In 2002, Fioretti was one of the founders of the District 300 Foundation, which provides grants and recognition to teachers in the district.

Five years ago, Fioretti got the gig she is perhaps best known for: a seat on the District 300 school board.

"That was pretty much the next logical step," she said this week.

Fioretti later became board president and served until 2007, when she was voted off the board after supporting a controversial tax hike.

But Fioretti quickly rebounded and was appointed chairman of the District 300 Foundation in September.

During Fioretti's tenure, the foundation held the Desks on Parade fundraiser, which used classroom art to raise money for education, and created new awards to honor District 300 alumni and teachers.

Fioretti said she's most proud of convincing people "that public education is a wonderful tool for youngsters."

The former school board president said she has no plans to return to politics anytime soon.

"I think I've been very effective on the foundation," Fioretti said. "That's something I enjoy doing."

Fioretti also coordinates the Institute for Continued Learning at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg.