Oak Forest High School Announces New Principal

Oak Forest, Ill. – At the Bremen High School District 228 School Board Meeting on May 11, 2021, Mrs. Jane Dempsey was named the new Principal of Oak Forest High School by the Bremen High School District 228 Board of Education. This announcement comes after the current Oak Forest High School Principal, Dr. Brad Sikora, was named the new Superintendent of Bremen High School District 228 in March.

Dempsey received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences from Eastern Illinois University, her Masters in Counseling from Eastern Illinois University, and her Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University.

She currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning at Oak Forest High School, but has served the school for the last 28 years in various roles. Specifically, from 1993-2006 as a Guidance Counselor, and from 2006-2016 as the Assistant Principal for Student Services.

Dempsey says her favorite thing about being a Bengal “is being a part of the hard-working, kind-hearted community that makes up Bengal Nation. We truly have the best students, staff, parents, and community.”

Mrs. Dempsey will be the first female principal in the 50-year history of the school. She will assume her new role on July 1, 2021, after the 2020-2021 school year closes out.

She says she is “looking forward to guiding Oak Forest High School as we emerge from the pandemic smarter, stronger, and more resilient.” Dempsey also added that “the most important goal as I begin this job will be to re-establish a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose for our students.”

When asked if anyone inspired her along the journey to becoming principal, Mrs. Dempsey said, “I have been inspired by many female administrators over the years including Marianne Glenn, Kathy Fronczak, Sue Bonner, and Lillie Holman. They paved the way for me to step into this role. Also, Dr. Brad Sikora’s leadership style and team approach has established a great foundation for our school’s success. I look forward to our continued partnership as he moves into the Superintendent role. He is a mentor and a friend to myself and to Oak Forest High School.”

Dempsey has worked directly alongside the district’s new superintendent for the past 10 years.

Dr. Sikora said in an announcement to staff on May 12 that he is “excited to see how Mrs. Dempsey will continue fostering relationships and developing new opportunities for the staff and students of Oak Forest High School.”

Dempsey grew up and still currently lives in Tinley Park. She says that “working in schools is a family business. My mom was a Secretary at Kimberly Heights School and my Dad was a carpenter at Chicago State University. My Dad’s Mom also worked as a cook at Tinley Park High School and my Mom’s Dad at the District 228 Administration Center as a printer. I recognize the contributions every person makes to the organization because I know firsthand that it takes a village to have a successful school.”