Former Avoca superintendent is Wilmette Housing Commission’s new leader

A familiar face is returning to a leadership role in Wilmette.

Village trustees approved during their Tuesday, April 8 meeting the appointment of Dr. Kaine Osburn as the next chair of Wilmette’s Housing Commission.

Osburn, of Wilmette, was the superintendent of Avoca School District 37 from 2019-2024, retiring after last school year.

Village President Senta Plunkett said in a memo to trustees that she met with each member of the housing commission to discuss their ongoing work and understand the needs of the commission moving forward after the resignation of prior commission chair Lisa Williams.

The Housing Commission, Plunkett said, “is embarking on some of its most important, public facing work as it seeks to develop a comprehensive housing plan.”

Osburn’s “extensive leadership experience, and experience leading similar public processes in his past school superintendent positions” stood out to Plunkett when reviewing candidates for the position, she said.

During the April 8 meeting, Plunkett noted that Osburn is “ready to jump in” to the commission’s work and “devote a lot of his time.” She added that she’s “thrilled” he’s going to be chairing Wilmette’s housing commission.

Osburn, while addressing the board of trustees, joked that he is “flunking retirement.” The Wilmette native called it an honor to be asked to serve on the commission while noting his ties to the community.

“We are ensconced in the community,” he said. “We love this community and we are excited to give back and serve.”

In addition to his role at District 37, Osburn has also served as the superintendent of Lake Zurich School District 95, deputy superintendent of Naperville School District 203 and principal of Niles West High School.

According to the village’s website, the housing commission “makes recommendations for the alleviation of the shortage of decent, safe and reasonably affordable housing for the elderly and low and moderate income persons, including, but not limited to, the study and development of housing alternatives and housing requirements in the village.”

Osburn’s term is three years, and he joins fellow housing commissioners Earl Chase, Jeanine Friedman, Caroline Goldstein, Elissa Morgante and C. Ryan Shannahan. One position on the volunteer commission remains vacant.

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