Mundelein High looking for new superintendent

Without a full-time superintendent for the second consecutive school year, Mundelein High School officials are looking to rectify that situation.

District leaders hope to have a new superintendent aboard for the 2008-09 term. They plan to interview candidates for the post later this year.

The one-campus district has been led by two part-time superintendents, Linda Hanson and John Barbini, since August 2006. They replaced Stan Fields, who quit earlier that month to take a job in another district.

Hanson and Barbini had served as superintendents before coming to Mundelein. They were hired as a pair because, under state law, pension issues prevent retired superintendents from working full time.

The school board opted in November to extend Hanson's and Barbini's contracts to June 2008.

This week, officials said it's time to hire a single leader. Board member Al Hitzke said the school is a business that should be led by one CEO.

"It's important to have a single leader that would have his or her (own) organization," Hitzke said. "It gives stability. It gives leadership."

The decision isn't a reflection on Hanson's or Barbini's performances, trustees said.

"They have set us up for success in the future," board member Vicky Kennedy said. "We would love to keep them on, but we can't."

According to the school board's search schedule, officials will advertise for the position in September and October. They'll seek input from community focus groups during that time, too.

Board members will interview prospective candidates in November. The panel could choose its new superintendent in December, according to the schedule.

The new superintendent would start work July 1.