New District 113A Superintendent Focuses on Communication, District Pride

Lemont-Bromberek District 113A new superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel spent her wedding anniversary this year at Lemont's fireworks display—and she expects she'll do the same every year to come.

But the Frankfort resident wouldn't have it any other way. Becoming a part of her new school district community has been a top priority since she began her role.

"Getting to know the people, the staff, the community," Orzel said. "It's been a smooth transition, very welcoming. People will see us in the community, I want my family to be a part of it, too."

Orzel comes into the district after it has bounced back from a tumultuous recent past, including financial distress, high turnover in the leadership role and a contentious school board. But her experience so far has been seamless and constructive, she said. She has a vision for a more communicative district, with a leader embedded in the community and staff connecting regularly with parents. 

"For me, it’s important that this district is a family," Orzel said. "I’m looking forward to that. I'm going to meet with each of the staff, talk to the parents so that I can know who I am."

She'll work to implement a more fluent communication system, from a district-wide Facebook page, to a better automated phone system. She has heard the community's concerns about an accountable administrative body, leaders who are looking out for the kids' best interests—and a superintendent who will stick around to see it through.

"I would not have come here if I didn’t plan on staying here," she said. "Longevity is an important thing for me. They (the board) know that I’m committed to making this work. They know that I’m committed to working with them, working with the staff. Active community, great parent groups. Excellent staff."

Orzel will work to continue the district's newly established financial stability—it was recently taken off the state's watch list—and the board-superintendent relationship, and the importance of that. 

"The community expects that we have a child-centered superintendent that is open, honest, transparent. One that communicates with people, is visible," she said. "We have to keep the lines of communication open. We serve kids, we serve our families."

"Because finances have been stabilized, we’re happy about that," she continued. "It’s a daily occurrence that we are analyzing the financial stability of the district. Finance Committee (board members, teachers, community members), thoughtful and deliberate about the discussions that they have. Every decision that we make is to benefit our kids. The board is extremely committed to looking at any of the expenditures, our revenues and making sure that we’re always thinking ahead for the future. I feel really good about that. I think that is a really stable process. There’s a lot of communication around it. People are really thoughtful and deliberate."

Orzel comes from a town in central Illinois, similar to Lemont in its feel. 

"Everyone is deeply committed to the schools, that they deeply care about the communication, that small-town feel," she said. "It’s not necessarily a small town, but it feels like it."

Discussions and work with the board will be ongoing and develop over time, she said. Schools will be more openly and regularly sharing news and tidbits about what's going on in the classrooms, including students' accomplishments and activities. The new school year offers a chance for the district to interact with its parents and students in a richer way, she said.

"My background in communications will lend itself well because the board knows that I’m committed to keeping them informed, and that I’m committed to keeping the community informed about what’s happening in our schools," Orzel said. "That piece is probably the most important piece. Because of that, we’re able to work well together.

"That’s the beauty of education," she said. "Every school year’s a fresh start."

More about Orzel:

She is wife to Jeff, mother to Nolan, 5 and Elle, 9 months. She serves as President of the Parent Advisory Council for Lincoln-Way District 843. She has worked in education for 15 years, most recently as superintendent of Forest Ridge School District 142 in Oak Forest. Prior to that, she was principal of Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest.