New superintendent named in Bloomingdale District 13

Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 will have a new superintendent for the first time in 14 years.

Vicki King will officially assume the role July 1. The school board unanimously approved her three-year contract after a search process that included a community forum, a survey of families and multiple rounds of interviews.

“Her experience, her values, and her approach to leadership align strongly with our district’s priorities and with the needs of our students, staff, families, and community,” school board President Michael Lenisa said in an announcement of her selection.

King has been superintendent of the Salem School District in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, since 2022. In District 13, she will succeed retiring Superintendent Jon Bartelt, who has held the leadership post since 2012.

“At the heart of this role, and every role I’ve ever held in education, are students — their growth, their belonging, their confidence, and their future,” King said. “In the coming months, listening will be my first priority so we can continue building on the district’s strengths together.”

Bartelt will continue to serve through June to “support a smooth transition,” the district said in the announcement.

The school board hired the BWP & Associates firm to help conduct the search that led to King.

Under the terms of her contract, King will be paid an annual salary of $210,000 for the 2026-27 year.

The district includes two elementary schools and Westfield Middle School. The district is projected to enroll roughly 1,200 students in K-8th grades for 2026-27.

According to its annual financial report, the district serves most of the village of Bloomingdale as well as portions of Roselle, Addison, Medinah and unincorporated Bloomingdale Township.