Superintendent's Office
Dr. Pettit became superintendent of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 on July 1, 2026, bringing a strong track record of educational leadership, innovation, and organizational growth that spans two decades.
Before joining District 86, Dr. Pettit served as superintendent of Duneland School Corporation in Indiana, where he led a district of more than 5,800 students. His tenure was marked by some of the highest student achievement results in the state, significant capital improvement projects, and multiple strategic planning processes. In recognition of his leadership, he was named the 2026 District 1 Superintendent of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Superintendents.
Prior to his superintendency at Duneland, Dr. Pettit served as principal of Crown Point High School, which was recognized as Indiana’s highest-ranked high school under his leadership. He was also honored as the 2019 District 1 Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.
Dr. Pettit’s experience spans every level of school leadership, including roles as a teacher, varsity head football coach, dean of students, director of student services, principal, and superintendent. Throughout his career, he has advanced initiatives in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual-credit programming, career and technical education, special education, and community-based internships to expand opportunities and pathways for students. He has also contributed to the field of educational leadership by teaching graduate-level courses at Purdue University.
Dr. Pettit joins a community recognized for its tradition of excellence, award-winning schools, and commitment to student success. Serving students from the communities of Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Westmont, and Willowbrook, District 86 provides exceptional opportunities through Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South high schools, as well as the District 86 Transition Center program for students with disabilities ages 18–22.
A relationship-centered leader, Dr. Pettit believes collaboration, trust, and shared purpose are essential to helping all students reach their potential. As he begins the 2026–2027 school year, he is committed to building upon District 86’s tradition of excellence by ensuring students feel known and supported, educators are empowered to inspire learning, and families and community members are engaged partners in creating opportunities for every student to succeed. He looks forward to honoring the traditions that make District 86 unique while working collaboratively to enhance opportunities for students and update the district’s Strategic Plan.
His strategic goals include:
- Establishing a league of comparable districts to establish baselines and targets for staffing, salaries, benefits, and educational programs, and a league of comparable schools to establish baselines and targets for Central and South.
- Analyzing student performance and establish benchmarks for the future: league schools, state report card, national standards/recognition.
- Leading collaborative process to update district Strategic Plan.
- Building relationships within the local business community to develop opportunities for students through internships and work-based learning experiences.
Dr. Pettit holds a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, a master’s degree from Indiana University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ball State University.
He and his wife, Karin, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of two children, Will and Avery.
