Superintendent
Dr. Michael Favor
Purposeful. Personalized. Partners.
Welcome back! As we open our doors for the 2026-27 school year, I am filled with gratitude and excitement to embark on this next chapter with all of you. This year, our guiding theme is Our Values, Our People, Our Future. This is more than just a motto; it reflects the humanity and shared purpose that drive everything we do.
Our foundation begins with Our Values. We step into this year prepared to implement our new Strategic Plan for District 917 across all locations and spaces. We'll be grounded in integrity, ensuring that our actions are honest, accountable, and consistently aligned with our beliefs. By practicing responsible stewardship of our financial and human resources, we will build the effectiveness needed to sustain our programs and maintain the deep trust of our community. These principles will serve as a compass for our individual and team-based decision-making as we continue to implement our Strategic Plan.
At the heart of our district are Our People. Through empathy, we will actively listen to honor others' perspectives and needs. We celebrate our diversity, valuing the intersectionality and lived experiences of every individual to foster a genuine culture of belonging. By prioritizing collaboration, we will forge strong relationships and work in partnership to achieve our shared goals. This unity is sustained by transparent, multi-dimensional communication that fosters trust among our staff, students, and families.
Guided by our values and driven by our people, we are building Our Future. Through personalization, we will build on everyone’s unique strengths and address their specific needs. We remain steadfast in our commitment to equity, removing systemic barriers and providing the targeted support necessary to ensure true access and outstanding outcomes for all. To meet the evolving needs of our community, we will embrace innovation and continuously improve our services with practical, responsive solutions.
Thank you for your dedication, passion, and the vital role you play in shaping our students' lives. I look forward to an incredible year of growth and success together.
Dr. Michael Favor
ISD 917 Core Values
Integrity
Acting with honesty and accountability to align actions with our values.
Empathy
Actively listening to honor the perspectives and needs of others.
Personalization
Building on everyone’s strengths and addressing their unique needs.
Diversity
Valuing intersectionality, lived experiences, and perspectives to foster belonging for all.
Collaboration
Fostering relationships and working in partnership to achieve shared goals.
Communication
Engaging in transparent, multi-dimensional communication that fosters trust.
Equity
Ensuring access and outcomes by removing barriers and providing appropriate support.
Innovation
Continuously improving programs and services through practical, responsive solutions.
Stewardship
Responsibly managing financial and human resources to build trust and effectiveness.