Three new administrators hired at District 214

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 created three new administrative positions in a restructuring of how the district handles community engagement, outreach and grant writing.

Board members said Thursday night they hoped the restructuring would help raise the profile of District 214 nationwide. And with several top administrators retiring, district officials said in a news release Friday, the district will save $50,000 to $60,000 annually even after adding the new positions.

Marcella M. Reca Zipp was hired to be the director of grants and special programs for the district, succeeding Jeff Jerdee who retires this year with the title of director of careers, technology education and driver’s education. In addition to Jerdee’s retirement, longtime administrators Deb Parenti, associate superintendent for finance and operations, and Rosemary Gonzalez-Pinnick, associate superintendent for educational services, are retiring this year.

Zipp was formerly the director of resource development and planning at McHenry County College, which in the past five years has been awarded millions in federal and state grants for secondary and postsecondary initiatives, according to the news release.

Jessica Thunberg has been hired as the new director of community engagement and outreach, a new position that will report directly to Superintendent Dave Schuler.

Thunberg has worked at Jasculca Terman and Associates Inc. for 10 years in marketing, media relations and project management, according to the release. She has also provided strategic communications counsel to more than 25 school districts, District 214 officials said.

Erin M. Holmes Brooks was hired as Thunberg’s assistant director of community engagement and outreach. Brooks has been the media relations manager at Harper College since 2008 and previously worked at the Daily Herald as a reporter for nearly 10 years. During her time at the paper she covered education and focused on District 214.