Thomas G. Scullen, Ed.D.

Thomas G. Scullen, Ed. D. served as superintendent of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 from 1986 to 1995.

Dr. Scullen forged many innovations during his nine-year tenure and is credited with preparing Indian Prairie for the 21st Century.

He established the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation; initiated the school-business partnership program; established a formal staff development department; restructured the curriculum department and added master teachers as curriculum and program coordinators; established programs for gifted and talented students; implemented a district-wide inclusion program for students with special needs; developed a district-wide technology plan; and organized citizen advisory groups on school attendance boundaries, facilities and academic assessment.

Dr. Scullen led the district at a time of tremendous growth. Under his guidance, the district introduced an amendment to the Illinois “tax cap” law that would exclude new growth from the bill. With strong support from area officials, the amendment passed. The measure resulted in $2 million in annual tax revenues that the district would have missed.

Community support for District 204 abounded during Dr. Scullen’s superintendency. Residents approved four referenda, one of which passed by a 2-to-1 margin at a time when referenda were failing and taxpayers were revolting in other school districts.

Dr. Scullen earned the 1992 Judge Edward C. Eberspacher Award from the Illinois Council for the Gifted. He was named 1993 Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Administrators.

Former president of the Indian Prairie Board of Education Dr. William Gibson called Dr. Scullen “the consummate professional.”

He said, “Dr. Scullen is one of the most fortunate people I know. He chose a profession that is perfectly suited to his personality and strengths. Clearly, he would rather be a superintendent of schools than do anything else.

“It’s very clear that school management is what he was put here to do, and he thrives on it.”

Chuck Seidel, principal at Brookdale Elementary School, said Dr. Scullen gave principals a great deal of support. “He was an effective problem solver whose typical approach was to find a solution where both sides can find some degree of success.”

Dr. Scullen once said that employees are the most important group in a school system. “An organization recognizes this most important asset by maintaining open, two-way communication with all employee groups, by valuing their input, and by placing decision-making at the point of impact.”

Relationships with teachers were a top priority with Dr. Scullen. He was referred to as an “exceptional leader” and “someone teachers could always approach.”

Dr. Scullen deeply appreciates the tribute that has been paid to him in naming Thomas G. Scullen Middle School. “This is a very humbling experience for me,” said Dr. Scullen, who relocated to Appleton, Wisconsin, and has served as the Appleton Area School District superintendent since 1995. “It’s a very dignified honor. Without question, this is the most significant event that has ever occurred in my professional life.”

Another honor bestowed upon him recently was Superintendent of the Year in Wisconsin in 2002.