LM Feb 2025

Education Elevat g Phil Cox Salt Fork CUSD #512, Illini Who: Phil Cox, Superintendent What: Expanded dual credit

Dr. Scott Rowe, Township HSD #214, Cook North

Who: Dr. Scott Rowe, Superintendent

What: Cultivated Huntley High School’s nationally recognized Blended Learning Program; Participated in state’s Competency Based Education Pilot Program; Helped develop flexible learning environments for students; Undergoing a strategic planning process to improve facilities and future learning environments

opportunities through partnership with Danville Area Community College; Helped develop robust career and technical education opportunities; Maintained fully licensed teaching staff despite statewide shortages; Established comprehensive junior high

exploratory programs; Serves on Vision 2030 Workgroup, IASA Governmental Relations and Advocacy Committee, and various educational leadership boards. Where: Salt Fork CUSD #512, Illini. When: Superintendent of Salt Fork CUSD #512 for nine years. Why: Salt Fork CUSD #512 was formed in 2015 when Jamaica and Catlin schools, operating on bare-bones budgets and unable to cut further without compromising student opportunities, chose to consolidate. Taking the superintendent role in Salt Fork’s second year, Phil Cox has helped realize the promise of that merger by creating robust college credit and career training opportunities for students. “Our job is to prepare kids to pursue their dreams and goals wherever that may lead them,” Cox said. Under Cox’s leadership, Salt Fork has become a model for balancing college and career readiness in a rural setting. Through a strategic partnership with Danville Area Community College, nearly one-third of juniors and seniors take traditional dual enrollment courses, while over half

for 12,000 students; IASA Governmental Relations and Advocacy Committee Representative for Cook North. Where: Township HSD #214, Cook North When: Superintendent of Township HSD #214 for two years; Superintendent of Huntley Community School District #158 for five years. Why: Years before his current role, Dr. Scott Rowe found the seeds of inspiration for reimagining the school day and giving students more control over their learning during his time as high school principal at Huntley Community School District #158. After graduation, when Dr. Rowe reconnected with former students, they shared that the traditional model of 45-minute classes and constant transitions didn’t align with their learning preferences. “It might sound obvious, but my aha moment was recognizing students learn differently and the traditional model didn’t support that,” Dr. Rowe said. “We know adults love to control what they learn and how, but we were not giving that to students, we have to invite them to

continued...

continued...

10

LM Feb 2025