Lake Zurich Unit District 95 superintendent announces his retirement

Lake Zurich Unit District 95 Superintendent Michael Egan says he'll retire after the 2015-16 academic year.

Egan, 64, announced his planned retirement Wednesday. After about 40 years in education, he said, he wants to travel, work on his golf game and be with his grandchildren more often.

"You know, it's time to do something else," said Egan, who joked that he's "old."

District 95 officials said school board members are expected to hire an executive search firm to start the hunt for Egan's replacement. Egan said he'll provide input regarding his replacement if asked by the school board.

School board President Tony Pietro said Egan has been a "wonderful leader of District 95" who has followed a mission of producing continuous learners and responsible, caring citizens in a global economy.

"He has been open, honest and ethical and has surrounded himself with an excellent staff, with the skills and tools necessary to realize his vision," Pietro said in a statement. "Dr. Egan has always taken a collaborative, rather than a confrontational approach, and has worked well with the board of education, the administration, teachers, parents and students and he will be missed by all."

Egan started his career in 1976 as a junior high language arts teacher at Chicago Public Schools. After 10 years in Chicago, Egan taught at Maine South, Proviso West and Mundelein high schools before coming to Lake Zurich in 1994.

He worked his way up at District 95. He started at Lake Zurich High School as dean of students before promotions to assistant principal and principal.

Egan moved up from Lake Zurich High principal to District 95's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in May 2008. The District 95 school board elevated Egan to superintendent for 2009-10, after letting Brian Knutson out of his contract a year early so he could retire.

Egan has a base salary of $213,285, according to District 95's most recent administrator compensation report. His retirement will be effective June 30, 2016.