May 18th 2024.
As the school year approaches its end, the long-standing tenure of the chief of Arlington Heights School District 25 is also coming to a close. This has been a remarkable run for the superintendent, as she has navigated through a global pandemic, implemented full-day kindergarten, and dealt with the recent controversy surrounding a school nurse accused of misusing student medication.
Lori Bein, who has dedicated 33 years of her life to education, has always strived to be genuine and authentic in her role. After serving as the leader of the district for a decade, she has announced her retirement. As she approaches her final day on June 30, she reflects on her time as superintendent with fondness and excitement for the future.
Bein shared that this has been the best job she has ever had. She is grateful for the opportunity to have led the district and is looking forward to her well-deserved retirement. She believes that it's time for District 25 to have a new leader and compares it to the season of spring, a time for renewal and growth.
The current school board of SD25 has been described as energetic and future-focused by Bein. As she prepares to step down, she has full confidence in her successor, Brian Kaye. Kaye has been a part of the district for 18 years and was chosen after a rigorous national search.
Throughout her career, Bein has held several roles in education, including superintendent of Roselle School District 12, assistant superintendent for instructional services at Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69, principal at Edison Elementary School in Morton Grove, and assistant principal at Winston Campus Junior High School in Palatine. She has been praised by District 25 leaders, staff, and parents for her leadership and dedication to students and teachers. In 2024, she was recognized as a "Superintendent of Distinction" by the Illinois Association of School Administrators.
However, Bein's administration has faced criticism from a group of parents over her handling of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Bein remained committed to her staff and students. She received hundreds of letters of support, and a demonstration was held outside the district office, displaying signs of appreciation for her hard work.
Bein admits that leading the district during the pandemic was one of the toughest situations she has faced. She recalls questioning whether she was the right person for the job, but her dedication and love for her students and staff kept her going. Looking back, she has no regrets and believes she did what she thought was best with the utmost sincerity.
Recently, the district has been under scrutiny following allegations that a nurse at Westgate Elementary School had misused student medication. Bein has been handling this situation with care and professionalism, and a police investigation is currently underway. At a special meeting, the school board voted to fire the nurse, and Bein has been praised by the board president as the right leader during this challenging time.
As she prepares to retire, Bein is grateful for her time as superintendent and is proud of the many achievements during her tenure. She will be remembered as a leader who showed empathy, compassion, and dedication during a difficult chapter in public education. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide the district towards a bright future.
As the school year comes to a close, so does the long-lasting tenure of the Arlington Heights School District 25 chief. This remarkable run includes navigating through a global pandemic, implementing full-day kindergarten in the district, and most recently, addressing allegations of a school nurse mishandling student medication.
Superintendent Lori Bein, who has dedicated 33 years to a career in education, has always prided herself on being genuine and authentic. After 10 years of leading the district, she has decided it is time to retire. Lori Bein, who has been superintendent since 2014, will officially retire on June 30, 2024.
Expressing her thoughts to Pioneer Press, Bein, now 56, shared that this job has been the best she has ever had. She is looking forward to retirement and her last day will be on June 30. She believes it is time for District 25 to have a new leader, comparing it to the season of spring - a time for renewal and growth.
Bein commended the current SD25 school board, describing them as an energetic and future-focused group. Taking over as the new superintendent on July 1 will be Brian Kaye. With 18 years of experience in the district, Kaye most recently served as assistant superintendent of personnel and planning. He was selected after a national search for the position.
H. Rick Bamman / Pioneer PressArlington Heights School District 25 Superintendent Lori Bein was at the helm of the district during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some calling for her resignation over their disapproval of her leadership during the global emergency. Bein will be retiring on June 30, 2024.
Bein has had an impressive career, with previous roles including superintendent of Roselle School District 12, assistant superintendent for instructional services at Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69, principal at Edison Elementary School in Morton Grove, and assistant principal at Winston Campus Junior High School in Palatine. She has been highly regarded by District 25 leaders, staff, and parents for her exceptional leadership, commitment to students and teachers, and for inspiring her staff to be authentic. She was also recognized as a 2024 "Superintendent of Distinction" by the Illinois Association of School Administrators, an honor bestowed by her peers based on her dedication, commitment, and leadership.
Reflecting on her time as the district's leader, Bein also faced intense criticism from a group of parents for her handling of remote learning during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Some even called for her resignation. She described it as one of the toughest situations she has faced. However, she was touched by the support she received from the community. Behind the scenes, there were families and teachers who went out of their way to express their appreciation for her. Bein even made photo albums of the hundreds of letters she received and was moved by the community's kindness. She recalls almost crying over the amount of support she received, including a demonstration outside the district office where families and staff held signs that read, "We love you, Lori," "Thank you," and "Hang in there."
Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer PressParents and other stakeholders took part in a demonstration on September 17, 2020 at Arlington Heights School District 25 headquarters, calling for in-person instruction at school buildings. Superintendent Lori Bein, who is retiring on June 30, 2024, recalls receiving more support for her leadership during the pandemic than opposition.
Despite questioning if she was the right person to lead the district through the pandemic, Bein never gave up on the students and staff. Looking back now, she has no regrets about her decisions during that time or throughout her tenure. She admits there were moments when she wished she had handled things differently, but she always acted with the best intentions.
In recent weeks, the district has been shaken by allegations of a nurse at Westgate Elementary School "misusing" students' medication. A police investigation is currently ongoing. At a special meeting on May 8, the school board voted to terminate the nurse's employment. However, she has not been charged with a crime.
District 25 Board of Education President Anisha Jogee praised Bein as the right leader during the pandemic and for the district as a whole. She commended Bein for showing empathy, compassion, and dedication during a challenging time in public education.
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