Message from Acting Superintendent Melissa Compson

Dear District 27 Community,

It is both a privilege and a personal honor to serve as Acting Superintendent of this extraordinary district—a community I have been proud to call home throughout my career. I’ve had the joy of working alongside our dedicated educators, supportive families, and incredible students, and I am inspired every day by the promise and potential that lives within every classroom across our 50 schools.

In District 27, we believe in the power of instruction, integrity, and innovation, because when these elements come together, they lead to lasting impact for our students. We are guided by three core values that shape every decision we make: culture, consistency, and coherence. These values are not just words, they are the lens through which we build strong, inclusive schools and support meaningful learning experiences for all.

I welcome this amazing opportunity to start fresh, to renew relationships and restore trust in an era that will be focused on developing the reading and writing skills of our students, building on a conceptual foundation of mathematics and continuing to provide access and exposure to high level learning opportunities for every student across this district. As you explore this website, I hope you see how our collective vision for student achievement, leadership development and family partnerships are connected to our daily, weekly and monthly practices. 

This year, we are focused on four instructional priorities designed to strengthen our foundation and support every learner: 

• Instructional Refreshers to ensure alignment and clarity around our core curricula
• A strong emphasis on Foundational Skills in reading and math 
• Elevating Writing Across the Curriculum 
• Deepening our implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) to meet students’ academic and social-emotional needs 

 

These priorities reflect our belief that all students deserve access to high-quality instruction, targeted supports, and a school environment where they feel safe, known, and valued.

Above all, we are building a district grounded in trust—trust between educators and families, between leaders and school communities, and between all of us and the children at the heart of our work. I am grateful to lead this community in partnership with you, and I look forward to everything we will accomplish together.

Thank you for being part of the District 27 family. Let’s continue to inspire, support, and empower every learner, every day.

Melissa Compson, Acting Superintendent