WE ARE 401: Administrator Jim Jennings — 26 years of leadership in District 401

In our newest "WE ARE 401" video we meet Jim Jennings, assistant superintendent for finance & operations and chief school business officer for District 401. Mr. Jennings will be retiring at the end of the current school year after serving as an administrator in District 401 for 26 years. 

A native of Rochester, N.Y. and graduate of the State University of New York Brockport, Mr. Jennings earned his degree in mathematics. He began his teaching career in Long Beach, Calif., where he taught math in the public school system for five years. He then moved to Illinois with his wife, who was from the Chicago area. He worked in public schools in Rockford and Carol Stream before arriving in Elmwood Park in 1998.

Mr. Jennings' first job in District 401 was as a dean of students at Elmwood Park High School. He became assistant principal in 1999 and interim principal in January 2001. His position became permanent later that year, and he served as EPHS principal from 2001 to 2017. For the past seven years, he has served in the District Office as assistant superintendent, where he has overseen major construction projects at each of the District's four schools.

During his time in District 401, Mr. Jennings has seen many changes and has worked with many different colleagues. Through it all, he has built strong bonds with students, parents, faculty, elected officials and community members throughout Elmwood Park. Congratulations to Mr. Jennings on his retirement!

"WE ARE 401" is a video series highlighting people of all ages who have a connection with Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401, past or present, and whose stories help illustrate who we are.