District 88 recognizes and thanks retiring Regional Superintendent

During its June 26 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education, along with the administration, recognized and thanked Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti (pictured above), Regional Superintendent of Schools for DuPage County, for her years of service and commitment to public education. To honor her career and legacy, District 88 presented Dr. Ruscitti with a personalized glass sculpture created by former Willowbrook Art Department Head Bob Fritz. 

Dr. Ruscitti has served as Regional Superintendent for 20 years and is the first woman to be elected to that position since the inception of the DuPage Regional Office of Education in 1854.

To watch the presentation, click on the video above. Read more about Dr. Ruscitti below.

Dr. Ruscitti earned her doctorate in Policy Studies and Administration from Loyola University Chicago and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Northeastern Illinois University. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Ruscitti has served as a school board and PTO president, teacher, staff developer, administrator and Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools for DuPage County. She also has been on a myriad of education and business committees, including the DuPage County Equity and Excellence Task Force, DuPage County Strategic Planning Initiative, DuPage County Workforce Innovation Board, Choose DuPage Board, DuPage Youth Council, DuPage Juvenile Justice Commission, Federation of Human Services Board, DePaul University Education Board, University of Illinois Chicago’s CASEL Board (The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning), Board of Directors for the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, Three Fires Council Boy Scout Troop Executive Board, United Way Honorary Board Member, Congressional Conference on Civic Education, Illinois Standards and Accountability Committee, Illinois Task Force on Education Accountability, DuPage1 Initiative, Issues Advocacy Forum, 18th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Council and the DuPage Area Project.

Dr. Ruscitti’s awards and recognitions include the Leonardo da Vinci Award from the Illinois Order of the Sons of Italy in America, the Impresa Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Women’s Division, Educator of the Year from the DuPage Mental Illness Association, the Lamp of Learning Award, Outstanding Woman Education Leader of the Year for DuPage County award, Friends of Education Award and a Lincoln Public Service Fellowship. 

Dr. Ruscitti has always been an advocate and friend of District 88. She could often be seen mingling with new District 88 staff members during the back-to-school community breakfast, attending the annual District 88 crosstown football game and joining the district during meetings with local Realtors, community groups and more. Dr. Ruscitti was a leader and supporter during the COVID-19 pandemic, has offered critical guidance with countywide equity work and has provided educators with resources and professional development to benefit students. 

Dr. Ruscitti has helped build positive futures for countless students through her contributions to public education and always puts the needs of students first. The positive impact her efforts have made on the schools and communities of DuPage County will last for years to come.