Community High School District 99 has hired 28 new certified teachers across its three schools for the 2026-27 school year, the district announced Wednesday, Aug. 5, with students set to arrive Friday, Aug. 14.

The new hires span more than a dozen subject areas, with Special Services representing the largest category. Downers Grove South picks up the biggest share with 14 new staff members, followed by 10 at Downers Grove North and four at the Transition 99 Center, which serves students with disabilities in a post-secondary program.

The range is wide.

Students at DGS will see new faces in science, social studies, English, computer science, business, visual arts and college counseling, among other areas. Tom Hanlon joins the Career and Technical Education department to teach business and computer science. Colleen Pellino arrives as a college and career counselor, and Emily Huenecke fills a social worker role in Special Services.

At DGN, Nadia Moreno takes on a dual assignment in world languages and as an EL/bilingual facilitator. Katie Carter joins as a speech teacher, Molly Lucas in English and Elida Zarate as a school psychologist. Fine arts, CTE and Special Services round out the North campus additions.

All four T99 hires join the Special Services team: Liam Fogarty, Aly Miller, Sean Raddatz and Catherine Yellon.

One name appears on both rosters: Allison Emroll is listed at DGN for fine arts and at DGS for fine arts and visual arts, suggesting a split assignment between campuses.

District 99 serves more than 5,000 students at its two Downers Grove high schools. Teachers report for in-service days Wednesday, Aug. 12, and Thursday, Aug. 13, with students arriving the following day.

The district has also revamped its fall family engagement schedule. A new "Meet the Teacher" night replaces the traditional Curriculum Night on Thursday, Aug. 27, featuring structured classroom presentations and informal drop-in time.

Coming up around Downers Grove

  • Aug. 14 — First day of school, District 99 (DGN and DGS)
  • Aug. 17 — District 99 Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m., Administrative Services Center
  • Aug. 19 — First day of school, Downers Grove Grade School District 68
  • Aug. 27 — Meet the Teacher night, District 99