Woodstock resident named McHenry Co. schools chief
McHenry County finally has a new regional superintendent of schools.
Leslie Schermerhorn, 52, of Woodstock, currently the assistant principal at LaSalle Language Academy in Chicago, was unanimously appointed to the McHenry County Regional Office of Education post by the McHenry County Board on Tuesday night. The post had been vacant since June.
“We're certainly happy that we were able to appoint her. She's well qualified, and she's a person who has a lot of integrity,” county board Chairman Ken Koehler said. “It certainly took a lot longer than any of us expected. There were a lot of ups and downs.”
The previous candidate, Elgin elementary school principal Jeffrey Schleff, withdrew his name in early February after reports surfaced of his previous DUI and domestic battery charges.
Schermerhorn will start her new job on May 1; the position is funded by the state and pays just less than $105,000 yearly, County Administrator Peter Austin said. The position is currently funded through June. Also, Schermerhorn will have to run for election in November.
Koehler said he believes the McHenry and Lake County superintendent posts should be consolidated due to the manageable size of the two counties. Lake County Superintendent Roycealee Wood and her staff have been filling in during the vacancy in McHenry County.
Board Vice Chairman John Jung Jr. said there was very little discussion before the 24-0 vote. “She's well qualified, she seems to have a pretty broad resume including a law degree. It does show a commitment to education and working with all aspects of it. She seems very upbeat about it; she'll bring good energy.”
The position came with a long list of requirements. Schermerhorn has a state teacher certification, and a law degree and a master's degree in education, both from DePaul University in Chicago. She is also a Republican, which is required because the person last elected to the post — who retired before taking over — was a Republican.
Schermerhorn did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.