Elmhurst Community Welcomes New Superintendent David Pruneau

Elmhurst District 205’s newly hired superintendent David Pruneau and his wife, Sue, joined current and future School Board members, parents, students and Elmhurst officials at a reception in his honor Friday evening at York High School.

Pruneau made the four-hour trip from Rochester, Mich., where he is finishing up the school year as superintendent of the Rochester Community School District, to spend the weekend in Elmhurst. He begins his official duties with District 205 July 1.

A York string quartet entertained guests in the commons at the school, and a buffet of finger foods was provided by the York food service team. In formally introducing Pruneau, School Board President Peggy Ostojic listed his accomplishments, which include being named 2010 Michigan Parent-Teacher Association Educator of the Year.

Pruneau said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who came out to meet him. (See accompanying video.)

“It just reinforces what a great community Elmhurst is,” he said. “I really feel very privileged.”

He said his accomplishments should be credited to the dedicated teachers, staff, students and community in Rochester, which is similar to the dedication he sees in Elmhurst.

“This is the same kind of dedication that can take a district to lighthouse status, a district that is looked upon nationwide as one of those districts that really gets education right,” he said. “That’s what we’re all about.”

Providing students with the best educational future they can have is “a big responsibility that I know every educator in this room takes very seriously,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to facilitating the problem-solving and finding the answers that I know are in this room,” he said. “The answers to every problem are right here today, right now. It’s just a matter of all of working together to find the right solutions for our children.”

Pruneau holds a bachelor of arts in elementary education, a master of arts in educational leadership and has completed the coursework for a PhD in educational administration and communication–all from Michigan State University. In addition to serving as a superintendent, he has been an elementary school principal and teacher.