On short notice, Forest Park’s elementary school board unanimously appointed Dr. Robert Hubbird as interim superintendent during a special board of education meeting on July 14. The meeting was held in response to Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez’s announcement that she was voluntarily stepping down from her role as District 91’s superintendent, effective immediately. Alvarez left her position at D91 to join Proviso Township High School District 209, where she was hired as deputy superintendent of operations.
Shannon Wood, president of the D91 school board, said the board had “very little notice” about Alvarez’s departure.
“The timing was surprising,” Wood said. “We had to schedule an emergency meeting because school starts in a month.”
In a letter addressed to the Forest Park community, Wood expressed the board’s gratitude to Alvarez for the work she did during her four years as the district’s superintendent.
“We sincerely thank her for her dedicated service to Forest Park School District 91 and wish her all the best as she embarks on new professional adventures,” Wood said.
Wood said the board had a thoughtful discussion during the emergency meeting on July 14 and decided that Hubbird was the ideal candidate for the interim superintendent position.
Prior to being named interim superintendent, Hubbird served as D91’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations, a position he has held since June 2022. In addition to his new title as interim superintendent, Hubbird has also been appointed as the district’s chief school business official.
“I’m going to do both roles,” Hubbird said. “I will continue to do the finances for the district and will also take on the interim superintendent role. It’s a lot but I’m up for the challenge.”
Wood said Hubbird brings a wealth of experience, passion, and deep commitment to his new position.
“He is uniquely positioned to lead Forest Park schools with strength, stability, and vision,” Wood said. “Under his leadership, we will continue the incredible momentum of our current Strategic Plan through June 30, 2026, and begin building a bold and inclusive new vision through an engaging process with the entire Forest Park community.”
The board has not yet begun discussions about what the search for a permanent superintendent will look like, but Wood said more information will be shared in the near future.
Although no potential candidates for the permanent superintendent role have been discussed, Hubbird said he would be “very interested” in the job if the opportunity were to arise.
“I’m very committed to the Forest Park community and the children here,” Hubbird said.
As he steps into his new role as interim superintendent, Hubbird said he is dedicated to keeping the district’s momentum going.
“For the past four years, we’ve had great momentum in terms of putting in effective and efficient systems and procedures,” he said. “We’ve had some great growth and established a learning environment where all are supported. We’ve also built collaborative partnerships with the local community, the village, and local organizations. And we will keep growing and strengthening those relationships.”
During the upcoming school year, Hubbird said he is also committed to completing the district’s strategic plan, which extends through June 2026.
“This is the final year of the strategic plan, so I’m focused on making sure that we wrap up hitting the rest of those goals within that plan,” Hubbird said.
Additionally, Hubbird said he is eager to listen to and engage with the community as the district begins developing its next strategic plan.
District 91 includes Betsy Ross Primary School, Garfield Primary, Field Stevenson Intermediate and Forest Park Middle School.
Despite being made up of four different schools, Hubbird said a strength of District 91 is that the schools all work together and function as one ensemble.
“I love the uniqueness of this district,” Hubbird said. “Forest Park is very diverse and welcoming. It’s such a great community.”
Hubbird said students and families are encouraged to attend D91’s Back to School Bash on Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place behind the Roos Recreation Center (7329 Harrison St., Forest Park) and will provide an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Alvarez letter to Forest Park
Outgoing Supt. Elizabeth Alvarez penned a letter to the Forest Park community as she departed to take on a role at Proviso Township High Schools. You can read that letter on page 11.