New superintendent named in Glenbard High School District 87
The next superintendent of Glenbard High School District 87 will come from within its own principal ranks.
The school board has selected Jessica Santee, the current principal of Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, as the district’s new top administrator.
She will succeed Superintendent David Larson, who is retiring at the end of the school year after more than a dozen years at the helm.
“I am honored to lead this remarkable district as we work collectively to expand access and opportunities for every student,” Santee said in part in a statement.
School board members hired consultants from the firm BWP & Associates to help conduct a superintendent’s search that ultimately led to Santee’s appointment.
“Glenbard was fortunate to have an extremely talented group of candidates for this position and the input from our community,” school board President Margaret DeLaRosa said in a statement. “Ms. Santee demonstrates a deep understanding of where we are today, and a focused vision for the work ahead. We are excited for her future and the leadership she will provide to our students, faculty, staff and community.”
The new superintendent’s contract is a 3-year pact. Santee will receive a base salary of $267,500.
“We feel very confident in the leader that we have just selected,” DeLaRosa said after the board approved Santee’s appointment at a meeting Monday night.
Her elevation to superintendent comes months after voters approved a $183 million borrowing plan that will allow the district to make building repairs and improvements to all four Glenbard high schools.
“This is a transformative time for Glenbard, marked by the largest facility improvement projects in our district’s history and significant advancements in dual credit opportunities and career exploration programs,” Santee added in the statement. “I am excited to continue collaborating with our greater Glenbard community and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent.”
Santee has been the principal of Glenbard South since 2021. Previously, she was the school’s assistant principal of instruction.
Before joining Glenbard, Santee was Lisle Community High School’s assistant principal from July 2016 to June 2019. She also has held various roles at York Community High School in Elmhurst, including as division chair for research and social sciences. She taught social studies at York for about eight years.
Santee is now in the final steps of earning a doctorate in educational administration leadership from Aurora University. She has a master’s degree from North Central College and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. Santee received a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminology from Ohio State University.
She officially starts her new role on July 1, 2025.
The district currently enrolls 7,810 students.