Dr. Patrick Hardy, whose contract as principal of Proviso East was not renewed by Proviso Township High Schools District 209, has been hired as executive director for equity and student success at Oak Park and River Forest High School.
Hardy was one of dozens of administrators whose contracts were not renewed or who were reclassified under restructuring by D209 Superintendent James Henderson. The district has hired Rodney Hull to become the new principal at East. The move not to reappoint Hardy upset many community members who felt that under Hardy’s leadership the culture and climate at East had improved considerably.
Hardy had been principal at East since 2015, when, according to the press release from D200, he was “hired to turn around a struggling school.” According to the release, he increased the graduation rate and the number of honor roll students, clubs and activities, and advanced placement courses. Under Hardy’s leadership, the competency-based high school program was brought to East.
