Superintendent Theresa Rouse Reveals When She's Leaving Joliet Public School District 86

JOLIET, IL — Former California school administrator has spent more than nine years overseeing Joliet Public School District 86, but Rouse has made it known that her time in Joliet will be coming to an end in less than two years.

The grade school district posted on Facebook that Rouse will not seek to extend her current multi-year contract, which runs through June 30, 2027. In other words, Rouse will remain as superintendent this school year and the following school year and then she's out.

Joliet's grade and junior high school district of roughly 10,000 students will have a new superintendent for the 2027-2028 school year.

"The Board is grateful to Dr. Rouse for the direction and initiatives that she has provided for the District to date, including increasing student achievement, providing leadership for the construction of two new junior high schools and fostering a climate of inclusion," the announcement read.

"The Board looks forward to continuing the collaborative relationship throughout the remainder of her term and emphasizes that she continues to have the support of the board in her efforts to advance best interests of the District, its students, staff and stakeholders."

According to Joliet Public Schools District 86, the District includes:

• 15 Elementary Schools
• 4 Junior High Schools
• 1 Early Childhood Center
• 1 Alternative School

Student enrollment on Sept. 30, 2024 was at 9,418 students, with 70 percent of the students Hispanic, 19 percent African-American, 7 percent Caucasian and 4 percent multi-racial. The district had 1,511 employees, including 749 teachers.

Rouse became the Joliet District 86 superintendent in July 2016. Before arriving in Joliet, Rouse worked as the superintendent of King City Union School District in King City, California since 2012.

Prior to that she spent five years at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education in Santa Cruz, California where she served in a variety of roles including Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. At the time of her hiring in Joliet, Patch reported that Rouse has over 29 years of educational experience. She succeeded Charles Coleman who was retiring after serving as superintendent since 2011.