At a recent board meeting, the Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) named Dr. Kristen Ninni as its next executive director. In this role, Ninni will lead the Cooperative’s efforts to support high-quality, inclusive special education services for students across its member districts, including Community Consolidated School District 89.
Ninni will replace Mary Furbush, who is retiring at the end of the school year. Ninni will start her role on July 1.
CASE is a collaborative partnership among seven districts, including CCSD 89 and Glenbard Township High School District 87. CASE serves approximately 28,000 students in 44 school buildings, working alongside districts to ensure students ages three through 22 receive appropriate services and support.
Ninni has extensive experience working with students, families, educators, and school leaders to strengthen special education services. Most recently, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Innovation at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, where she focused on inclusive practices and ensuring students with disabilities and diverse learning needs had equitable access to support. She also led social-emotional learning initiatives and provided professional learning to more than 7,900 educators, helping schools better support students’ social and emotional well-being.
Throughout her career, Ninni has focused on building clear, practical systems that help schools work together more effectively. She brings a strong understanding of how cooperatives support districts through shared services, professional learning, and coordinated resources, ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality support.
“The CASE Board is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Ninni,” said Dr. Joseph R. Williams, CASE Board President. "She distinguished herself as a person of candor, integrity, empathy, and skill within a deep candidate pool. Her leadership will contribute to an already strong special education cooperative."