Glenbard Dist. 87 names a new principal and assistant superintendent
On Feb. 8, the Glenbard Township High School District 87 Board of Education approved naming Glenbard South Assistant Principal for Instruction Jessica Santee the next principal at Glenbard South and Seth Chapman the next Glenbard District 87 assistant superintendent for finance and operations. Both appointments are effective July 1.
Chapman will replace Chris McClain, who will retire on June 30, and Santee will replace Sandra Coughlin, who will retire on June 30.
Santee said, "I am incredibly honored to step into the role of principal at Glenbard South. I have learned over the past two years that Glenbard South is truly a special place to be with an innovative and caring staff alongside dedicated students and families. I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence with a focus on continuous improvement, student engagement and belonging. 'Raiders are Better Together' and I am thrilled to continue on this journey with the Raider family."
Chapman said, "I'm thrilled to be joining the Glenbard High School District 87 team. The district has a strong reputation for both financial and academic success. I look forward to carrying on the excellent work that Mr. McClain has done to support high student achievement for all students. Having lived in Lombard and completed my chief school business official internship at Community Consolidated School District 89 15 years ago, I am excited to be able to return and serve in the community where my career in education started."
Chapman is assistant superintendent of business services/chief financial officer in St. Charles Unit District 303. He has been in that position since 2013.
His previous experience includes director of business services and facilities with Northern Suburban Special Education District in Highland Park from 2010 to 2013 and business manager with A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative in Burbank from 2007 to 2010. Additional experience includes: business process lead analyst with International Truck & Engine Corp. in Warrenville; teen reach coordinator with the Chicago Boys and Girls Club and an associate with Higher Education & Health Care Division - Huron Consulting Group in Chicago.
Chapman is an adjunct professor at Aurora University, teaching Advanced Operations in the university's doctoral program. He is in his third year as director on the Illinois Association of School Business Officials board and currently coleading the equity and diversity steering committee. He also is treasurer with the Rotary of St. Charles noon club.
"We are excited about Seth Chapman joining Glenbard's leadership team," Glenbard District 87 Superintendent David Larson said. "His background and experience will complement our organization, and we look forward to his many future contributions. With his leadership we expect that Glenbard will continue to deliver strong educational programs for our students while we continue to meet our financial objectives of balanced budget; solvency position and achieving high financial ratings from the Illinois State Board of Education."
Chapman earned his Doctoral, education administration and master of science/education-school business management from Northern Illinois University. He earned a bachelor degree in business administration in finance from the University of Iowa.
Larson said of Santee, "After a comprehensive search and selection process, I am pleased we have such a collaborative, student-centered administrator as Ms. Santee to be Glenbard South's next principal. I am impressed with Ms. Santee's strong background in curriculum and instruction, as well as her focus on data and her problem-solving skills. I am confident her vision for educational excellence will continue our good work related to our Profile of a Graduate."
Santee has been Glenbard South assistant principal for instruction since 2019. Prior to that, she was assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Lisle High School from 2016 to 2019. She was York High School's research and social sciences division chair from 2014 to 2016 and social studies department coordinator from 2012 to 2014. Santee taught social studies at York from 2008 to 2016. She has additional teaching, coaching and mentoring experience at Aurora (Ohio) High School, Amelia (Ohio) High School and Elmwood Park High School.
Santee earned a master's degree in educational leadership from North Central College, master's degree in secondary education from the University of Cincinnati and bachelor's degree from Ohio State University.