Jenkins Selected As District 70's First Female Superintendent

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Rebecca Jenkins will become the first woman to serve as the superintendent of Libertyville District 70 after the district’s board of education unanimously approved her appointment on Thursday.

Jenkins, who has worked as a deputy and assistant superintendent for the past six years, will begin her new role on April 1, the district announced in a news release on Friday. The district has 2,129 students.

Jenkins moves into the role after she served in Lake Forest, where she worked for both Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 and Lake Forest High School District 115. While the school districts have a separate staff and board of education, they share the same administrators.

Jenkins replaces Matt Barbini, who is on a leave of absence and who did not seek an extension to his contract with District 70, officials said in the release.

“I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the first female superintendent for Libertyville School District 70,” Jenkins said in a statement released by the district. “I think it is fitting to be voted in during Women’s Week.

“ I am thankful to the board for the thorough and robust process that was engaged in to chose (the) next superintendent. I will care for each child in our schools and believe each child has a voice and place to make an impact in this world. I will take time to listen and learn about the traditions and what makes Libertyville so amazing. I am also excited to work towards our bright future and look forward to the strategic planning process we will engage in the fall! Thank you for the opportunity and the warm welcome.”

Jenkins was a middle school principal for nine years in Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary School District 102 in Buffalo Grove. She also worked as an assistant principal for an elementary school in District 102 for two years.

During her first five years in education, Jenkins, known for her collaborative style, was an elementary teacher in Northbrook, Grayslake, and Gurnee. Jenkins has experience in strategic planning and will oversee a new five-year plan for the Libertyville district.

“The Board of Education emphasized a candidate having building experience. Rebecca checked that box,” District 70 Board of Education President Wendy Schilling said in a statement released by the district. “She has experience as a teacher, and as a building administrator both at the elementary and middle school levels. This was important to our staff and community.

“Rebecca will bring high energy to the district and has already shared with the district some initiatives she would like to introduce. The board is confident that Rebecca will unify District 70, create an environment where our students excel, parents see growth in their children both socially and emotionally, and that the staff and future staff continue to see us as a ‘Destination District.'”

Jenkins lives in Crystal Lake with her husband, Jason, and their 10-year-old daughter, MacKenzie.