District 113A chooses Oak Forest superintendent as its new leader

LEMONT – The District 113A Board of Education approved Courtney Orzel as its new superintendent during a special meeting Friday.

The six members in attendance all voted in favor. Board member Brian Bushnell was absent for the vote.

Orzel currently serves as superintendent for Forest Ridge School District 142 in Oak Forest.

Orzel said her contract starts on May 1, though she will be splitting time between the two districts until her contract with District 142 is up on June 30.

She is replacing Sue Birkenmaier, who left the district at the end of October for a position in Lyons Township.

Pamela Hollich has been serving as the interim superintendent since Nov. 6.

The board hired School Exec Connect in December to conduct the search.

Board President Cindy Kelly said the board started interviewing seven finalists on Feb. 21 and narrowed it down to three before choosing Orzel. She said the board was impressed by her energy and communication skills.

"Our board is excited to work with Dr. Orzel," Kelly said in a news release. "She was not only the board's top candidate, but all three focus groups agreed that Courtney will be a fantastic addition to our District 113A team."

A Lemont resident could also be credited with an assist in landing Orzel.

"One of the teachers who used to work for me in another district is a community member here and reached out to me and said, 'I think this would be a great fit for you,'" Orzel said. "When I read the profile, I thought, 'That is a good fit for me.'"

Orzel said she likes the direction of the district and can relate to the small-town feel of Lemont, having grown up in a small town herself.

She said the board discussed improving the school's public relations and fine arts program, both of which she has a background in.

The district plans to have a meet-and-greet for parents and community members in late March or early April.