Forest Park’s elementary school superintendent will be making the transition to the high school level, as Elizabeth Alvarez, now former head of District 91, was hired as Proviso Township High School District 209’s new deputy superintendent of operations.
The hiring of Alvarez was approved by Proviso’s board of education during its July 8 meeting as part of the personnel report.
Nicole “Molly Bee” Molinaro, board member, said the board unanimously approved of her hiring.
“We are absolutely elated to have Dr. Alvarez assume the role of Proviso 209’s Deputy Superintendent of Operations,” Molinaro told Forest Park Review. “The vote was a unanimous yes to hire her. All seven of us agreed.”
Alvarez spoke with Forest Park Review and shared a letter to the D91 community, where she expressed how much thought went into the transition.
“After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my role,” she said. “I leave D91 proud of what we have built together. The systems, protocols, and structures we put in place have created a solid foundation — like a well-oiled machine — that will continue to support the district’s progress. Your next leader will benefit from the strong groundwork we have laid as an ensemble, and I am confident that D91 will continue to thrive.”
Alvarez told Forest Park Review she is not privy to any info on who will serve as interim superintendent.
Alvarez’s new position with Proviso was previously held by Luke Pavone, who served the district as co-interim superintendent from February 2024 through July 1, 2024.
Alvarez is no stranger to the Proviso community, having served one of the community’s feeder districts, D91, since her hiring as superintendent of the district back in January 2021. Alvarez’s contract was unanimously extended in 2022 through the 2025-26 school year.
She originally came to D91 with extensive experience the Chicago Public School system. She not only served as a middle school teacher for 13 years but also as an instructional math and science coach, assistant principal, principal and chief of schools for 18 schools.
During her time with D91, Alvarez focused on moving the district forward through a “slow and steady” approach on implementing curriculum and other practices to further the growth of the district.
In a previous story regarding D91’s growth in proficiency in the 2023 Illinois Report Card, Alvarez commented on the district’s growth, which included a 3.9% growth in English language arts.
“Good things take time,” Alvarez said. “Right away you can dismantle something that is good pretty quickly, but in order to build something, the pyramids were not built in a day, so this is going to take time. I am giving it grace, I am being patient.”
William Fisher, a D209 board member and a parent of future Forest Park D91 students, said the board did not have any concern on hiring Alvarez, however he knows the Forest Park community will miss her.
“I’m excited she’s coming to Proviso,” Fisher said. “A little sad as someone from Forest Park that she’s leaving, but excited for her future at Proviso.”
