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 Hardy R. Murphy, Jr., Ph.D. joined District 65 as Superintendent of Schools in
July of 1999. He was with the Fort Worth Independent School District for 20 years previous. Dr. Murphy holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master's degree in Education from Southwest Texas State University and a Bachelor degree in Sociology from New Mexico State University.Dr. Murphy is a visible and viable member of the District 65 community. During his tenure, he has served on community boards, including the McGaw YMCA and former Evanston Northwestern Hospital. He strives for active partnerships with Northwestern University, Loyola University, the McGaw YMCA, and other community partners that include the City of Evanston, Family Focus Evanston, Foundation 65 and the Evanston Community Foundation. He has worked with FAAM as a volunteer youth basketball coach, extended his time as a guest reader at school events, and is often invited to speak or present at local events. Dr. Murphy frequently participates in activities and events that promote the district, celebrate its educational professionals, and
highlight the successes that have been accomplished.
Dr. Murphy is a champion for education who is often heard to say how honored he is to be a member of this district and community. His superintendency is characterized by sound fiscal management as acknowledged by the state, bond rating agencies, and others; by a trend of accelerated academic achievement and a narrowing of the achievement gap between students who traditionally do well and those who traditionally struggle; by ongoing and intensive professional development for teachers; and for creative, bold-stroke initiatives to inspire those at the highest end of the achievement spectrum and motivate those who struggle to succeed. He led the district in developing an appraisal system that is the first in Illinois to incorporate student growth
measures as part of teacher and administrative evaluations.
Initiatives implemented under Dr. Murphy's leadership include a Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program, an African-Centered Curriculum (ACC) program, virtual learning pilot, districtwide focus on differentiated instruction, summer enrichment programs for students, an inclusion initiative to bring services and students with special needs into the general education classroom, and instructional technologies that enrich the teaching environments of the district's curriculum across the district.
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