At its March meeting, the School Board approved the selection of John Conley as Principal of Fernway Park Elementary School, effective at the start of the 2026-27 school year. Conley will replace retiring Principal Sandy Hutchinson.
“I’m truly honored to join the Fernway community,” stated Conley. “Fernway has a strong tradition of supporting students and one another, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated staff and families.”
Mr. Conley has been with District 140 for over 13 years and currently serves as the assistant principal at Prairie View Middle School. He holds a master’s degree in principal preparation from Concordia University Chicago, a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Lewis University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Conley as the next principal of Fernway,” said Superintendent Dr. Daniel Callaghan. “He understands the importance of strong relationships and brings a genuine commitment to supporting students, staff, and families.