Two awards honor the legacy and positive impact of the late District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton

The legacy and positive impact of the late District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton were recently honored with two awards. Those awards were recognized during the Sept. 13 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch the presentation, click on the video above (starting at 1:15).

Dr. Helton passed away on Dec. 10, 2020. He was a true leader, ambassador and advocate for the students of District 88 and beyond. Dr. Helton was ingrained in the District 88 community and helped build positive futures for countless students through his contributions to public education and coaching football, wrestling and track. He had more than 33 years of experience in education and served in a variety of capacities, including as Principal of District 88’s Addison Trail High School for 11 years and as Superintendent of the district since 2012.

Dr. Helton had a passion for ensuring all students had access to workplace experiences and the most rigorous curriculum and the supports they needed to succeed. He will be remembered for going above and beyond to build trust and genuine relationships with students, staff, parents and community members. Dr. Helton implemented ongoing equity work and culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching and shared that work at the local, state and national levels. He made sure everyone felt welcome and valued.

INSPRA Award of Excellence

From left: District 88 Director of Student Services Dr. Raquel Wilson, District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink, District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain and District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente accept the Award of Excellence from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA) in recognition of the memorial video to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton.


To remember and celebrate Dr. Helton’s life, District 88 partnered with his family and a variety of stakeholders to coordinate a memorial on Jan. 28, 2021. Because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the event was hosted remotely. Administrators, teachers, parents, students and alumni who were close with Dr. Helton and knew him well shared their thoughts and memories for the virtual memorial.

The memorial video was coordinated and edited by District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink and received a state-level Award of Excellence (the highest level) from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA), which recognizes high-quality school publications and materials that promote the mission and message of a school district.

The memorial will remain on the District 88 website at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12434, as we continue to honor the legacy of Dr. Helton and his service and dedication to the District 88 students, staff and community.

DuPage Division of the IASA Dr. Scott J. Helton Excellence in Educational Leadership Award
The DuPage Division of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) has established the Dr. Scott J. Helton Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, which can be presented to a worthy school leader working in DuPage County. This award is not necessarily to be given annually; rather, it allows for superintendents to nominate a colleague or a leader within their own school district who can best represent the characteristics listed below. The master plaque of the winners will be housed at District 88.

Candidates for consideration of recognition for the Dr. Scott J. Helton Excellence in Educational Leadership Award must be able to demonstrate each of the following characteristics:

  • Humility
  • Gratitude
  • Allyship
  • Positivity
  • Advocacy
  • Mentor
  • Relationship builder

To see the full award details, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=6041.