BUCKTOWN — A new principal will be at the helm of Bucktown's Pulaski School when the top-ranked neighborhood institution starts up again in the fall.
Diana Racasi, who previously served as the school's assistant principal, has been tapped to replace Arlana Bedard, according to Andrea Tolzmann, who was Pulaski's Local School Council chairwoman during the leadership transition.
Bedard's departure six months before her four-year contract ends joins more than 50 CPS principals who have resigned or retired in 2016.
Racasi "has been a leader that provided the school with continuity — she knows every aspect of the school academically and socially and knows more about Pulaski than anyone else I can imagine," Tolzmann said.
Bedard joined the school on Jan. 1, 2012, and was Pulaski's second principal since 2010.
Bedard could not immediately be reached for comment.
Located at 2230 W. McClean Ave. in Bucktown, the school, which became an International Baccalaureate World School in December 2014, is one of just seven elementary schools within the Chicago Public Schools system to offer an IB curriculum for students as young as preschool.
Developed in 1968 in Switzerland as college preparation for the children of diplomats, the International Baccalaureate program mission "aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect," according to the initiative's website.
Scott Suckow, a parent of three Pulaski students and an LSC member, described Bedard as "a tremendous asset" to the school.
Though Bedard's contract was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2016, she announced her resignation in late spring in order to give the LSC more time to conduct a search for her replacement, Suckow said.
Tolzmann said that from what she understood, Bedard left the school due to personal reasons.
"The only indication that I have been told is that she left due to personal choices, what is best for her and family. It's widely known there is a rash of principals leaving due to the struggles of CPS. It's not a surprise that any principal would pick up and leave," Tolzmann said.
Tolzmann lauded Bedard for making a positive impact on the school.
"She was a very dedicated leader and very thoughtful in her decision making, especially in light of budget cuts. This entire last year had been extremely challenging in a series of three different budget cuts," Tolzmann said.
In particular, Bedard fought to ensure that special ed students at Pulaski had the state-mandated resources they were required to have, Tolzmann said.
"She worked hard to make sure they could get everything they needed," Tolzmann said.
Both a neighborhood school and a regional gifted center for Spanish-speaking English language learners, the school serves 930 students in preschool through eighth grade.
Rated "Level One-Plus" — the highest rating within CPS — Pulaski has been growing in size and popularity for the last few years.
"More people that live in the neighborhood have kids who are coming of school age. It's become a trusted school option," Tolzmann said.
For more info on Pulaski, current and incoming families can attend summer "popsicle play dates" at the school. The next gathering is set for July 12, according to a Friends of Pulaski e-update.
Pulaski International School of Chicago. [Alisa Hauser/DNAinfo]
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