Allison Pitlock, a Downers Grove resident and District 58 parent, will join Herrick Middle School's leadership team as assistant principal on Monday, August 3, after the Board of Education unanimously approved her appointment at its Monday, July 13, meeting.

Pitlock fills a vacant assistant principal position at Herrick, joining Principal Dr. Steve Perkins and Assistant Principals Kelly Novotny and Dr. Lauri Smith. She'll have nearly four weeks on the job before students arrive for the first day of school on Thursday, August 27.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell said the position drew strong interest from qualified candidates. "The interview team was very impressed with her student-centered focus, commitment to building relationships and desire to have a meaningful impact on student learning, well-being and safety," Russell said in the district's announcement.

Pitlock spent the past nine years as an instructional coach and lead teacher at Burr Ridge Middle School in Community Consolidated School District 180. In that role, she partnered with teachers across all subject areas, facilitated professional learning sessions, led curriculum adoption, and coordinated the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports — a data-driven framework for identifying students who need extra help.

Before coaching, she taught fifth-grade and middle school math.

Pitlock holds a Master of Science in Principal Preparation from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University.

The district said Pitlock's existing ties to Downers Grove should ease her transition. She already knows the community as both a neighbor and a school parent, according to the District 58 announcement.

The Board's unanimous vote followed the same summer-appointment pattern used when Elizabeth McDonald was named a Herrick assistant principal in July 2024.

Upcoming community dates

  • Monday, August 3 — Allison Pitlock begins as Herrick Middle School assistant principal
  • Thursday, August 27 — First day of school for District 58 students