May 18th 2024.
As the school year comes to a close, so does the long and successful tenure of Superintendent Lori Bein at Arlington Heights School District 25. For the past 10 years, she has dedicated her career to serving the district, leading them through a global pandemic, implementing full-day kindergarten, and addressing issues such as the misuse of student medication by a school nurse.
Bein, who has spent 33 years in education, has always prided herself on being genuine and authentic. But after a decade of leading the district, she has decided to retire. As she approaches her official last day on June 30, she reflects on her time as superintendent and looks forward to the next chapter of her life.
"This job has been the best experience of my career," Bein shared with Pioneer Press. "I am excited for retirement and for District 25 to have a new leader. It's like spring - a time for renewal and growth." She also praised the current school board as an "energetic and future-focused" group.
Taking over as the new superintendent on July 1 will be Brian Kaye, who has been with the district for 18 years and most recently served as assistant superintendent of personnel and planning. He was chosen after a national search for a new superintendent.
Throughout her time as superintendent, Bein has been recognized by district leaders, staff, and parents for her leadership, commitment to students and teachers, and ability to inspire her staff to be authentic. She was also honored as a "Superintendent of Distinction" by the Illinois Association of School Administrators in 2024.
However, Bein's administration also faced criticism from a group of parents over her handling of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the backlash, Bein remained dedicated to her students and staff and received numerous letters and demonstrations of support from the community.
"It was a tough situation, but behind the scenes, there was a community of families and teachers who showed their appreciation," Bein said, reflecting on the difficult time. "I was overwhelmed by the kindness and support I received."
As she prepares to leave her position, Bein admits that she often questioned if she was the right person to lead the district through the pandemic. But she never gave up on her students and staff, and she has no regrets about her decisions during her tenure.
While it has been a successful run, the district was recently rocked by allegations of a nurse at Westgate Elementary School misusing students' medication. The incident is currently under police investigation, and the nurse has been fired by the school board.
Despite this difficult situation, District 25 Board of Education President Anisha Jogee believes that Bein was the right leader for the district during the pandemic and throughout her tenure. She praised Bein for her empathy, compassion, and dedication during a challenging time in public education. As Bein prepares to say goodbye, the district is grateful for her leadership and wishes her all the best in retirement.
As the school year draws to a close, so does the impressive tenure of Arlington Heights School District 25's chief, Superintendent Lori Bein. Over the past several years, she has skillfully guided the district through a global pandemic, successfully implemented full-day kindergarten, and most recently, handled allegations of a school nurse misusing student medication. After a remarkable 33-year career in education, Bein has decided to retire, leaving a legacy of authenticity and genuine care for her students and staff.
Bein, who has been at the helm of the district since 2014, will officially retire on June 30, 2024. As she reflected on her time as superintendent, she told Pioneer Press that it has been the best job of her career. She is excited for retirement and looks forward to passing the torch to a new leader. "It's time for District 25 to have a new leader," Bein shared, comparing the change to the arrival of spring, a season of renewal and growth.
The school board, which Bein describes as "energetic and future-focused," has selected Brian Kaye as the new superintendent. Kaye has been with the district for 18 years and was chosen after a national search. Bein has full confidence in his ability to lead the district into the future.
Throughout her career, Bein has held various positions in education, including superintendent of Roselle School District 12 and assistant superintendent at Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69. She has been recognized by District 25 leaders, staff, and parents for her leadership and dedication to students and teachers. She has also been honored as a 2024 "Superintendent of Distinction" by the Illinois Association of School Administrators, an award given to exceptional leaders in the field.
However, Bein's administration has not been without its challenges. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced intense criticism from a group of parents regarding her handling of remote learning. Despite the backlash, Bein remained committed to doing what she believed was best for her students and staff. She was touched by the overwhelming support she received, with hundreds of letters and a demonstration outside the district office showing their appreciation for her.
Reflecting on this difficult time, Bein admits that she often questioned her ability to lead the district through such a crisis. But she persevered, driven by her dedication to her students and staff. Looking back, she has no regrets and stands by the choices she made.
Recently, the district has been faced with allegations of a nurse misusing students' medication. While a police investigation is currently underway, the district has taken swift action and fired the nurse. Bein's leadership during this challenging situation has been praised by District 25 Board of Education President Anisha Jogee. She describes Bein as a compassionate and dedicated leader who showed empathy during a difficult time in public education.
As she prepares to retire, Bein leaves behind a legacy of strong leadership and genuine care for her students and staff. She may be stepping down from her role as superintendent, but her impact will be felt for years to come.
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