HR0320 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0320 LRB102 18538 LAW 26774 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Dale Mitchell, Ph.D., on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of Homewood School District 153; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell grew up in Grant Park; he earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Illinois State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell first taught in a rural district in central Illinois; he then took a position at a middle school in Hanover Park, where he taught under a groundbreaking team teaching approach; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has worked for Homewood School District 153 for 27 years; he first worked as the assistant principal of James Hart School, where he assisted the school's transition from a junior high school to a middle school in 1994; he became the principal of James Hart School, and his leadership helped the district earn a Blue Ribbon Award; he served as assistant superintendent of the district for three years before becoming superintendent in August 2003; during his 18-year tenure, his foresight and grounding in the community helped ensure the passage of two educational funding referendums with over 80 percent of the vote, which maintained crucial programs and services for students; he guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic with reassuring positivity and steady resolve, which were key to the school district's consistency in education and compassionate support of students, staff, and families; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell is widely recognized as an outstanding educational leader; he received the Those Who Excel Award of Excellence from the Illinois State Board of Education in 2017; he earned the title of Superintendent of Distinction by the Illinois Association of School Administrators in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has proven himself to be an incredible educator, advocate, mentor, leader, and educational visionary; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell is married to Dayna; they have two daughters, Michaela and Camryn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dale Mitchell, Ph.D., on the occasion of his retirement, recognize his commitment to the students and staff of Homewood School District 153, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Mitchell as an expression of our esteem and respect.