CCSD181 names Dr. Jim Wipke as next superintendent after nationwide search
The Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education has announced that Dr. Jim Wipke will become the district’s next superintendent, succeeding Dr. Hector Garcia at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Garcia, who has served as superintendent since 2018, is noted as the longest-serving leader in D181 over the past 18 years.
Dr. Wipke’s official start date is July 1, 2026, but he will begin working with Dr. Garcia and the board on transition efforts prior to then.
Dr. Wipke brings more than three decades of experience in education leadership, including over ten years as a superintendent. He currently leads Ladue School District in Missouri, which is consistently ranked among the top districts in that state and recognized nationally for its performance under his leadership since 2019.
Before his roles as superintendent, Dr. Wipke held various positions such as fifth-grade teacher, sixth-grade World History teacher, middle school assistant principal, and middle school principal.
Board President Bill Cotter stated: "Following an extensive nationwide search process, the Board unanimously selected Dr. Wipke because of his successful track record and embodiment of outstanding leadership qualities. He brings a clear vision for academic excellence, a proven record of elevating student achievement, and a deep commitment to listening to families and staff. Dr. Wipke consistently demonstrated not only strategic thinking but a genuine belief in the potential of every student. We are confident that his collaborative approach and integrity will build on the current work and success of the district."
The selection followed a four-month process using an outside search firm to gather input from stakeholders; there were 34 applicants for the position.
Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 serves DuPage and Cook counties and includes several schools such as Clarendon Hills Middle School and Hinsdale Middle School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 282 teachers with an average salary of $94,227; most are women (90 percent), while men make up 10 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). No teachers have more than ten absences per year according to recent reports (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
Demographically, about 69.8 percent of students are White; other groups include Asian (15.4 percent), Hispanic (6.8 percent), and Black students (1.1 percent) (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, spending per student was $31,308 for a total expenditure exceeding $117 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).