Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez. Photos provided by Tim Moran.

Dr. Michael Riordan was selected to serve as interim superintendent of Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 for the 2024-2025 school year. 

After seven years of educational leadership, the renowned EPCHS superintendent Thomas O’Malley retired in June. In search of an ideal candidate, the district interviewed educators with experience at this level. They found Dr. Michael Riordan, who had retired from the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 in 2023, with 15 years of superintendent experience (33 years overall of educator experience).

President of EPCHS D231 Board of Education Mary Zofkie has known Dr. Riordan’s educational determination for many years. They were both founding members of the AERO Special Education Cooperative. 

“I’m very confident that Dr. Riordan will lead us through this year without skipping a beat,” Zofkie said. “He comes to EPCHS with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will help bridge the gap as we continue our search for a permanent leader for our district,” stated Zofkie (from a provided press release).

Dr. Riordan has always been a local to the area. He started teaching science at Marian Catholic and settled at Oak Lawn Community High School. He has been a leader at every level at OLCHS, “a teacher, coach, dean, department chair, assistant principal, and principal before becoming superintendent in 2008,” wrote Tim Moran.

“I am honored to serve as interim superintendent at Evergreen Park Community High School,” Dr. Riordan said. “This school district and the Evergreen Park community as a whole are wonderful places for young people, and I am fully committed to ensuring that the great traditions and commitments to our students and families continue into the future.”

For all students, parents, educators, community members, and alumni, we encourage you to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Riordan the next time you see him in the district.

We extend a special thank you to Tim Moran (EPCHS, Public Relations) for his invaluable contributions to this announcement. His dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated.

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