Steven Isoye Named New Chair Of Illinois State Board Of Education

SKOKIE, IL — The recently retired chief of public high schools in Skokie is the governor's pick to chair the board responsible for overseeing educational policy in more than 850 school districts across Illinois.

Steve Isoye spent six years as superintendent of Niles Township High School District 219 before stepping down this summer.

On Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed Isoye to fill a vacancy on the Illinois State Board of Education created by the departure of Darren Reisberg.

Reisberg, a former administrator at the University of Chicago, returned to his native New York to take a job as president of Hartwick College, where he began at the start of last month.

"The leadership team at Illinois State Board of Education spends each day working to provide a high-quality educational experience for every student in Illinois, no matter their zip code or income level," Pritzker said in a statement.

"By adding an exceptional educator and person in Dr. Steven Isoye to the best educational leadership team in America," the governor added, "we are ensuring that goal will be met in every corner of the state."

Isoye said that it was an honor to be appointed to chair the state education board, according to the governor's office.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala to foster an academic environment in which every student in the state can be successful," Isoye said.

Isoye began his administrative career as principal at Maine East High School, where he was named Illinois High School Principal of the Year for the 2010-11 school year.

He also has teaching experience at Highland Park High School, Deerfield High School, Warren Township High School, The Latin School of Chicago and Loyola Academy.

And before taking the job in District 219, Isoye spent six years as superintendent of Oak Park River Forest High School District 200.

Carmen Ayala, the state superintendent of education, welcomed Isoye as incoming chair.

"He brings invaluable perspective and experience to the role. Serving as a Board chair takes patience, integrity, a collaborative spirit, and an ability to listen to different viewpoints, while upholding the mission, vision, and values of the Board," Ayala said in a statement.

"Dr. Isoye has all of these qualities and more," the superintendent siad. "I look forward to partnering with Dr. Isoye to lead the agency in serving and supporting Illinois' students as they recover from the pandemic and pursue academic excellence."

Related: District 219 Hires Connecticut Superintendent of the Year To Succeed Steven Isoye