VVSD Board Approves Next Superintendent Of Schools

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Valley View School District 365U Board of Education voted Monday to approve Dr. Teresa Polson as Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2026, the District shared in a news release. Polson is currently VVSD’s assistant superintendent for educational services, pre-kindergarten-12th grade, and has been chosen to succeed current Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood, who will retire at the end of the current school year.

The search for a new superintendent began in July and continued over the past five months.

“We are looking forward to Dr. Polson’s leadership as we continue to move VVSD forward in achieving academic growth for our students and fiscal responsibility for our community,” said VVSD Board of Education President Steve Quigley. “The Board had several outstanding candidates to consider as Dr. Wood’s successor, and we are pleased that the most outstanding and experienced candidate is both a current VVSD staff member, and also a longtime resident of the VVSD community.”

Quigley added, “I want to thank my fellow Board of Education members for their time, thoughtful consideration and efforts, as we sought out a high-quality superintendent for Valley View’s future.”

According to the District, Polson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University in 2002 and added a Bachelor of Arts degree from Governors State University in 2005. Polson earned her first postgraduate degree in 2008, a Masters’ Degree in Education Administration from Northern Illinois University. In 2018, Dr. Polson earned an Ed.S. degree in Education Leadership from NIU, and then in 2021, she was conferred a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from NIU.

Polson’s teaching career began in 2005 as a Science Teacher at VVSD’s A.Vito Martinez Middle School. In August 2008, Polson moved into VVSD District Administration as Coordinator of Special Education Programs, the District said.

After one year as Dean of Students at VVSD’s Brooks Middle School during the 2011-12 school year, Polson returned to District Administration as VVSD Assistant Director of Student Services. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, Polson began a nine-year stay at VVSD’s Jane Addams Middle School, serving three years as Assistant Principal, followed by six years as Principal.

During her time as Jane Addams Principal, the District said Polson led the Jane Addams school community to the Illinois State Board of Education’s Exemplary Designation in 2018, which Jane Addams has maintained in the following years. In July 2022, Polson left VVSD to become Assistant Superintendent in Addison School District 4 and then returned to VVSD in May 2024 for her current role as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade.

“I am honored to be selected by the VVSD Board of Education to succeed Dr. Wood as VVSD Superintendent,” said Polson. “VVSD is both my personal and professional home and I look forward to continuing the positive momentum in the District and continuing to evaluate where we are, and where we are going, to ensure an outstanding educational experience for our students.”