Dora King was a substitute Waukegan teacher in 2012 after retiring from a long career at AT&T when the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) took control of North Chicago School District 187, created the Independent Authority acting as a school board and made her its president.
“We acted to support public education,” King said. “We were working with the community. It was a very difficult time. We needed to get people involved, and buy into the importance of public education.”
Sylvia Johnson Jones, a North Chicago native and the executive director of the Career and Job Placement Center of the College of Lake County until her retirement last year, was appointed to the Independent Authority in 2015. She knew what she wanted the district to achieve.
“We wanted to find ways to increase good outcomes for the students,” she said. “We wanted to find ways to remove barriers so they could go on to higher education, enlist in the military or join the workforce.”
King retired as president and a member of the Independent Authority on Nov. 11 in North Chicago, and the ISBE appointed Jones as her successor the same day, creating a seamless transition as District 187 moves toward a fully elected school board in 2027.
“It was just time,” King said. “It’s a good time with the transition in place.”
Superintendent John Price, who was hired by the board led by King in 2017, said in an email that King brought a sense of family to the District 187 community with, “unprecedented growth for a school district under state control.” She gave it a sense of family, he said.
“Mrs. King’s belief in our students, compassion for the community and leadership have transformed the school district,” Price said. “King has made the school district feel like a family, a family with a uniting purpose to serve our children.”
When the ISBE took control in 2012, it installed a Financial Oversight Panel along with the Independent Authority. The district was in difficult financial straits, and overall student achievement was subpar.
King said she began working with then-Chief Education Officer Ben Martindale — also appointed by ISBE — as some improvement began. Martindale worked closely with the ISBE to receive grant funds to help balance the budget.
After Martindale announced his retirement in 2016, King said she, Jones and the rest of the Independent Authority were actively involved in hiring a new superintendent. They gave the job to Price.
When Price started in 2017, the graduation rate at North Chicago Community High School was 52%. The Class of 2025 graduated 86%, and 96% of last year’s freshmen class are on track to graduate in 2028, according to the ISBE school report card.
Just over three years ago, the ISBE voted to allow District 187 to return to an elected school board. Three members were elected in April, with four appointed members still the majority. Voters will pick four additional board members in 2027. The Independent Authority will then cease to exist.
For King and Jones, their mission over the last few years was to make the transition to an elected board a success. Since the trio of elected members came aboard in the spring, Jones and King have worked closely with them.
“The transition is very important,” Jones said. “Nurturing, coaching and planning is critical to the succession. We’ve been very team-focused. They need opportunities for professional development. We’re trying to build them into leaders. You have to have compassion.”
Price said both King and Jones mentored the three elected board members. Before it was time to circulate nominating petitions for the 2025 election, King started workshops to teach candidates about the job they will be doing. Price said the transition is on the right track.
“These public events laid the groundwork for our elected board members, and provided them with the opportunities needed,” Price said. “Jones has worked individually with the elected board members since the swearing-in to provide mentorship and support.”
Price said ISBE picked a seasoned educator in Jones to become the next president. A North Chicago native who graduated from North Chicago Community High School, she has a lifetime of attachment to the community.
“Jones is an accomplished educator and leader,” Price said. “She remains committed to the community that she was raised in. Jones is focused on results and has proven her ability to lead organizations towards outstanding achievement.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/north-chicago-district-187-president/
