District 200 hopes to have new superintendent by mid-August

The search for a new superintendent in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 has been narrowed to about four candidates, school board President Barbara Intihar says.

Since Brian Harris stepped down from the position in late May, the board has conducted initial screening interviews with at least eight candidates, Intihar said. All but one was recommended to the board by Harris.

As part of his separation agreement, Harris was required to provide the board with at least five qualified candidates for his former position. Intihar said he referred about 15 people to the board.

The agreement also requires Harris to offer transition services to the new superintendent, should they be needed.

Intihar said interviews are moving along and the board is hopeful a candidate will be selected by its Aug. 13 meeting.

"That's the plan right now, unless we get thrown a real curve ball this next round of interviews," Intihar said.

With only six weeks left until that meeting, Intihar said the board has been extremely busy.

"There's a lot to do yet," she said.

Once finalists are selected, she said, the board will introduce them to certain community members, conduct reference checks and then negotiate a contract with its eventual choice.

Intihar said she and board member Jim Vroman have spearheaded the effort and are dedicating many hours to it.

Still, she said the board doesn't regret its decision to opt out of hiring a search firm and instead waive Harris' separation fee in exchange for his help in finding a new leader.

"The most important thing we do as a board is hire a superintendent, and so I believe all of us are very committed to it," Intihar said.

Should problems arise with the candidates, Intihar said she is confident the current leadership team would be able to do a good job carrying on with an interim superintendent.

"You always worry, but I think we're in a good place," she said.