Kathy Zalewski, business manager for Evanston/Skokie District 65 and the school's chief operating officer, plans to resign at the end of this school year, the district confirmed to Roundtable.
Zalewski has worked at the district's sales office for 23 years, starting in May 2001. Her last day on the job will be June 28, said Hannah Dillow, a spokeswoman for the 65th District.
“We will certainly miss her. She has been an invaluable addition to our District 65 business team for the past 23 years,” Dillow said in a statement to the roundtable. “We wish her the best in all her future endeavors and have plans in place to ensure a smooth transition for her.”
With Zalewski's impending retirement, the district must find a new chief financial officer and a new business director this summer. The CFO position has been vacant since August 2023, when Raphael Obafemi retired and was joined by Andarib Kergaty, former Oswego District 308 human resources director. Mr. Kelgarty became the district's superintendent last fall, and Mr. Obafemi currently serves as CFO.
Zalewski is the newest administrator in a long line of administrators who moved from the 65th District last year. Former Superintendent Devon Houghton, Director of Culture and Climate Elijah Palmer, Chief of Staff Markisha Mitchell, Director of Student Affairs Sarita Smith, Deputy Superintendent for Student Services Romy DeCristofaro, Mr. Kergarty, Mr. Obafemi, and now Mr. Zalewski. All have resigned or announced plans to resign.
“Kathy, thank you for an incredible 20 years and I wish you the best. And we are sad to see you go,” former board member Rebecca Mendoza said Monday. During the evening's public hearing, he spoke about the possibility of closing the school. Dr. Bessie Rose School of Global Studies.
Mendoza said she is “concerned” about the district's financial future, especially given Zalewski's impending departure and the fact that “most of the architects” of Ward 5's new school plans are gone. ” he said.
“The district is actively engaged in the search process for our next CFO and business manager,” Dillow said. “In the meantime, we will continue to work with Dr. Robert Grossi and his company Illuminate as an independent financial advisor.”
