New Principal Hired At Hinsdale School

HINSDALE, IL — A new principal was hired Monday for Hinsdale's Madison Elementary School.

On Monday, the school board approved a contract for Barbara Shanahan as the new principal. She replaces Kim Rutan, who served School District 181 for six years. Rutan is leaving for a principal's position in Naperville School District 203.

Shanahan is coming to District 181 after 19 years with Frankfort School District 157-C. For the last three years, she was the assistant principal of Grand Prairie Elementary School, according to a District 181 news release.

Shanahan previously was an instructional coach and teacher leader. She began her career as a grade teacher in Frankfort. As an instructional coach, she was credited with increasing Frankfort's high achievement levels, the release said.

She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and three master's degrees — in elementary education from the University of St. Francis, reading from St. Francis and educational leadership from Governors State University. She is expecting her doctorate next May.

“Ms. Shanahan’s passion for education, her focus on doing what is best for children and her success in leadership roles made her a standout candidate for this position,” District 181 Superintendent Hector Garcia said in the news release.