New Libertyville District 70 superintendent comes from Palatine District 15
Libertyville Elementary District 70 has selected a Palatine educator to replace Superintendent Guy Schumacher, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Matthew J. Barbini, who served the past four years as deputy superintendent of schools for Palatine Township Elementary District 15, will assume the top spot July 1. Barbini signed a three-year pact with a starting salary of $198,500.
The selection was unanimously approved Monday by the District 70 school board. It followed a search that lasted more than a year and attracted 40 applicants.
In District 15, Barbini supervises the technology, data application services and communications departments. He led the implementation of 1:1 Chromebook initiative for sixth- through eighth-grade students and was involved in staff programs involving the use of technology to enhance learning.
Before District 15, Barbini served seven years as assistant superintendent of student services in Highland Park-based North Shore District 112. He followed Schumacher, who held a similar position in District 112, by a few years.
Barbini, 43, began his career as a special-education teacher in Warren Township High School District 121 and served in the same capacity at Downers Grove South High School before being named executive director for special education at Valley View School District 365U in Romeoville.
School board President Tom Vickers said District 70 wanted "someone who embraced our belief in continuous improvement" and can take it to the next level of excellence.
"Dr. Barbini has those qualities and at the end of the day, the board felt he checked all the boxes and will be a great fit for us," Vickers said.
Barbini will become only the third District 70 superintendent in 27 years. Mark Friedman retired in 2009 after 17 years at the helm and was succeeded by Schumacher, then principal at Butterfield School in the district.
The search for his replacement started in September 2017, when District 70 received proposals from executive search firms. The early start gave District 70 the first pick of candidates as several neighboring districts also are looking for superintendents, officials said.
School Exec Connect guided a process that included 13 focus groups with District 70 administrators and staff, parents and community members. An online survey drew 457 responses and assisted in creating a superintendent profile.
The profile said the new superintendent should be a "visible, approachable, people-oriented leader" with a proven record of success in curriculum, assessment and achievement, as well as a team builder/unifier.
"Dr. Barbini is very sincere, very genuine - no doubt in my mind he's going to do everything he can to help our district to continue to grow and improve," Vickers said.