There always seems to be something big, significant and creative going on in Huntley Community School District 158. If it isn’t a nearly $40 million expansion of Huntley High School, it’s blended learning for high school students, specialized medical education programs in association with a major area hospital, or helping students achieve record-high standardized test scores.
The latest event, however, may be the most significant one of all in the last dozen years – replacing Dr. John Burkey as superintendent.
After 12 years on the job, the popular and innovative educator stepped down on January 31 to take on the role of executive director of the Large Unit District Association (LUDA). This organization supports the 53 largest unit school districts in Illinois (of which Huntley 158 is one) with networking, professional development, and advocacy. It is also a leading voice on statewide educational policy matters. His new position will have him spending a lot of time in Chicago and Springfield for LUDA.
After twelves years, Superintendent Dr. John Burkey retires from D-158 to accept a job as the executive director of the Large Unit District Association. (Photo provided)
(Most public school districts in Illinois are either elementary (K-8) or high school (9-12) districts. A Unit District includes grades K-12).
“I look forward to continue serving students in Illinois, only now on a larger scale,” Dr. Burkey said. He will continue to make his home in Huntley, where his two children attend Huntley schools. “Both of my children have spent their entire school careers in Huntley 158, and I would not want them in in any other place,” Dr. Burkey said. “They are getting a world-class education here and have had so many caring, high-quality teachers. There are so many talented, caring people that work for Huntley 158, and it has been the highest honor to work alongside the employees of this district.”
Don Drzal, president of the Huntley 158 board of education, showed his appreciation.
“We thank Dr. Burkey for his 12 years of devoted service to the Huntley community,” he said. “We are saddened to be losing the visionary leadership of Dr. Burkey for our district, but are excited that students throughout the state will now benefit from his abilities.”
In January, the board announced the selection of Dr. Bradley Hawk as interim superintendent for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year. Dr. Hawk retired from full-time work as an educational administrator in 2009, and has previous connections to District 158. He served as assistant superintendent here from 2000 to 2004, and was assistant principal at Huntley High School in 2010.
Dr. Burkey holds a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree and doctorate in educational administration, all from the University off Illinois. He came to Huntley in 2006, after a stint as assistant superintendent in Dunlap School District 323. In the next 12 years here, he oversaw a period of rapid growth and expansion of innovative offerings, and actually played a major role in bringing Huntley onto the national stage of secondary education. In 2017, Huntley was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking school districts with fewer than 100 member districts in the U.S. Also that year, the district was named among “100 school districts worth visiting,” by Getting Smart, a leading news hub and think tank for educational innovation. The district also was one of 10 districts in Illinois to be selected to participate in the Illinois State Board of Education’s competency-based education pilot program.
The district also has been recognized regularly by national media outlets such as the Washington Post, CNN, Washington Times, and others for its outstanding educational programs.
The district’s medical academy program, placing high school students in area hospitals to shadow medical professionals in every-day medical environments, is unique in the State of Illinois. It has been nationally recognized.
Since 2006, District 158’s enrollment has soared from less than 7,000 to nearly 10,000 students. In that same time period, Huntley High School’s enrollment has increased from approximately 1,000 to about 2,700 students. One of the major accomplishments in the last three years has been the nearly $40 million renovation and expansion of Huntley High School. The project was funded by a state grant, not local tax dollars. Today, HHS is the largest and most modern public secondary education facility in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
Burkey also has made a special effort to reach out to 158’s next-door neighbor, Sun City. He has delivered briefings to Sun City groups, invited residents to visit schools and programs, and included Sun City residents in the most recent strategic planning process in 2015.
