Dave Palzet envisions a Pleasantdale Elementary School District 107 down the road that is stronger in technology and where the student experience is enhanced.
“I hope we are in a place where we have made a great district greater,” the new superintendent said when asked about where he wants the district to be in five years. “I want the buildings to enhance students’ learning and teachers’ work. I want to have updated technology and the superintendent and board doing all they can for the overall student experience.
“I want families and the community involved in our classrooms. I want teachers to feel they are in the best working environment. And I want parents to feel that they are in the best place for their child’s learning and growth.”
Only days on the job, Palzet is still learning his way around district buildings. While getting the lay of the land after starting in his new post July 1, he said he has been taken aback by the warm reception he has received thus far.
“Not that it was unexpected, but a big surprise has been just how fantastic everyone has been with me starting the job, going around the buildings” Palzet said. “Every meeting I have had whether with staff, a board member or a parent has had a positive outcome.”
Palzet had been administrator for educational services in Wilmette District 39 for three years before landing District 107’s top job. He replaces Mark Fredisdorf, who had led District 107 since 2002. Palzet has a three-year contract with Pleasantdale with a base annual salary of $175,000.
Prior to his time in administration in District 39, Palzet was a principal in Lake Forest and Wilmette
He said one of biggest challenges will be learning the culture of the school district, picking up how things get done in the district and melding that with how he wants to accomplish things.
“We still have a lot of work to do with technology,” Palzet said, noting he is already at work on a technology plan.
He is not sure what that finished plan will look like, but hopes to get a pilot program into two classrooms at both Pleasantdale Elementary and Pleasantdale Middle schools for this fall.
Palzet said the district could be on a more level playing field technology-wise with other districts in short order.
“I think we are capable of upgrading our technology quickly,” he said. “If we are going to introduce technology, we have to be efficient.”
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He said teachers he has spoken with so far about technological advances are open to trying them in their classrooms.
“My style is to advance a technology program after a pilot program, build it out from there,” Palzet said.
The district’s new leader said he also would like to look at revamping the district’s math curriculum.
Labeling himself “listener-in-chief,” he said he wants to hear from staff and board members what the issues are in the district instead of dictating what he thinks the district’s issues are.
The married father of four said he is big on the student experience. He said success cannot always be measured in test scores.
“I want students to experience different things, try different things, find out what they are good at,” Palzet said. “I want every child to be on a team, every one to perform on stage.”
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.