Indian Prairie District 204 welcomes next superintendent
John Price introduced himself Monday night as the next superintendent of Indian Prairie Unit District 204 with a teachable moment.
Since he announced the beginning of the end of his tenure at the helm of North Chicago School District 187, Price has received a number of notes and texts from parents and employees. Their words of appreciation have reminded him of what makes the biggest impact.
Yes, the strategic plans, the data, hitting goals and getting new and better tools into teachers’ hands are important, he said.
“But what comes first and last are the ways that as leaders, we make people feel, and the care, kindness and concern that we show for our students and our staff,” Price said.
So shortly after the Indian Prairie school board approved his hiring, Price thanked his family and his “work family” in North Chicago. And then he went out of his way to recognize District 204’s “AV tech streaming geniuses” who have helped him get to know “this community from afar.”
The first thing that drew him to District 204 was its advertisement. And more specifically, a job profile that “highlighted relationships, a student- and staff-centered leader, authentic care and showing up for your students here in Indian Prairie,” Price said.
He will replace Adrian Talley, who will be departing the district in June. School board President Laurie Donahue called the search for his successor a “comprehensive, nine plus month process.” The board also hired Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to help conduct the search that ultimately led to Price.
“Dr. Price brings a wealth of experience and a determination to support students’ success,” Donahue said.
Price will officially start July 1. Under the terms of his three-year contract, he will receive a base salary of $335,000 for the 2026-27 contract year.
Last week, Price announced his resignation as the District 187 superintendent, with his last day set for June 30. He had held the post since July 2017. In his letter, Price said the district has stabilized its finances and management, made academic gains and expanded programming in music, art, clubs and athletics.
Over the past seven years, the district strengthened teacher retention and increased high school graduation rates, District 204 noted in a message to families. The Lake County district also saw an increase in philanthropic support, including a $40 million gift from biopharmaceutical company AbbVie that funded the construction of the new Neal Math and Science Academy for middle school students.
Along with a group of volunteers, Price helped establish the nonprofit North Chicago Public Education Foundation. The foundation has since awarded more than 100 full-ride scholarships to graduating North Chicago Community High School students.
Price pledged to partner with the District 204 school board and community “to advance an agenda of equity for all of the students that we serve.” He said he commits to partnering with “community groups, foundations, colleges, universities, not for profits and corporations to maintain and create the opportunities that our students deserve and need to thrive.”
A California native, Price has lived in Chicago since 2001 with his wife and their two children, ages 22 and 19.
Price began teaching on Chicago’s Near West Side at a Catholic elementary school. He started as a volunteer teacher, and the school redirected his salary to provide tuition scholarships for students in need.
During his career, he also was principal of Audubon Elementary School in Chicago’s Roscoe Village. Price moved into district leadership for Chicago Public Schools. He served as a regional superintendent, supervising elementary and high schools, before becoming an assistant superintendent in Evanston.
District 204 will hold a special reception with Price at the Crouse Education Center in Aurora. The gathering is set for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15.