Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Superintendent Ushma Shah abruptly resigned Friday, effective immediately, on the eve of the start of a new school year.
The resignation was announced in what was termed a joint statement issued by the school district late afternoon Friday Aug. 15.
“Dr. Shah has served the district with dedication since June 1, 2022, bringing visionary leadership, a deep commitment to student success, and a collaborative spirit that has strengthened our school community,” it read.
The statement praised Shah for helping guide the district through the post-pandemic educational landscape, successfully negotiating a new contract with the Oak Park Teachers Association and facilitating the creation of the Portrait of an Oak Park 8th Grade Graduate.
Shah was thanked for “the passion she has shown for advancing educational excellence, and the many positive impacts she has made during her time in the district.”
Shah had just received a contract extension earlier this year.
The statement said the district will soon appoint interim superintendents, typically retired superintendents, to lead the district during the 2025-26 school year while the school board conducts a search for a new superintendent.
Teachers were scheduled to report to work Aug. 18 and the first day of school is Aug. 20.
“District 97’s day-to-day operations will continue without disruption under the guidance of our experienced and highly capable leadership team,” the statement read. “We have full confidence in the leaders who are in place and in their commitment to ensuring a smooth start to the school year.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Shah previously worked for nine months as the interim chief portfolio officer for the Chicago Public Schools. Before that she spent nine years as assistant superintendent of elementary schools for Elgin School District U-46. She spent one year before that as the district’s chief of equity and social justice.
Shah began her career as fifth grade teacher and kindergarten through eighth grade arts integration teacher in the Chicago Public Schools.
Bob Skolnik is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.