Ben Baird, a veteran of the Glencoe District 35 administration, will have a new role in 2023-24 as he has been named the new principal at West School.
Earlier this year, the school board approved the hiring of Baird, 36, to be the leader at West School, the home for District 35’s third and fourth graders.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to first meet people and start to develop those bonds that will help us support each other and support children moving forward,” Baird said at the June 1 school board meeting.
Baird grew up in Palatine and graduated from Fremd High School. After receiving an education degree from Miami University of Ohio, Baird taught at a rural Ohio junior high school. He then returned to the Chicago area, working at Wilmette District 39 in several roles including special education teacher, behavior interventionist and then special education coordinator.
Baird moved north to District 35 where he just completed his fifth year. He initially served as the assistant director of pupil services and in 2022-23, he was the district’s director of assessment data and tiered supports.
District 35 Superintendent Catherine Wang praised Baird’s efforts.
“Under Mr. Baird’s leadership, we have re-imagined several key initiatives — from course offerings for summer programming, streamlining our early childhood procedures and supports, and strengthening our data analysis practices to inform interventions. While accepting more responsibility within the district, Mr. Baird shows enthusiasm for building a positive school culture and partners with parents and teachers to foster the growth of each child,” Wang wrote in an email. “Mr. Baird’s focused career path exemplifies his care and dedication to supporting students and encouraging them to thrive. We are pleased to welcome his leadership as he takes on the principalship at West School. Our students, staff and families are also looking forward to the daily engagement with Mr. Baird.”
Baird now takes over at West where he anticipates somewhere between 250-260 students will attend in 2023-24 with a staff of 30-40 staff members.
Baird said of the role as a principal, “It (my role) is to be a thought partner for staff and families with the focus on how we can provide safe, nurturing and challenging environments for all children.”
In his recent work at District 35, Baird has been active in analyzing data and has reviewed the school standardized test scores.
“I do find it valuable for one data point in time within the context of it being a single data point in time,” Baird said.
As for the most recent Illinois State Report Card, all three Glencoe elementary schools finished with a “commendable” rating instead of the top designation of “exemplary,” something Baird said he hopes to improve.
“It is something that I want to work toward but I want to keep it in context that there are other factors as well that go into determining the efficacy of a school,” Baird said.
Baird — who enjoys golf, woodworking and cites Scooby-Doo as his favorite cartoon character and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as his top band — is looking forward to a mid-August meet-and-greet with families ahead of the first day of classes on Aug. 30.
Baird will replace Jeannie Sung at West School. She announced her resignation in February after just one year in Glencoe, citing family reasons.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
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