Dist. 15, search firm part ways over possible conflict

Earlier this week, a national search was on for a new Palatine Township Elementary District 15 superintendent.

But that changed Friday when Glenview-based search firm Hazard Young Attea & Associates withdrew from the search for a new District 15 leader because a school board member works for the firm.

The school board had voted 3-2 Wednesday night to pay the firm between $18,000 and 28,000 to oversee the search.

Board member Gerald Chapman abstained from the vote, since he's an independent contractor for the firm.

"As we dove into it further, a potential for conflict of interest was there," said board President Tim Millar.

Superintendent Robert McKanna will retire at the end of the school year. He's been the district's leader since 2003.

Earlier this month, the school board met behind closed doors to interview four search firms for the job.

"We are not just looking for a Midwest candidate," said board member Nancy Lee Carlson. "We are looking across the country."

She has praised McKanna for helping bring the district numerous awards.

Millar said a special meeting will be called Thursday, and the school board will discuss which of the other three search firms to hire.

Hazard Young Attea CEO Henry Bangser said that after talking more with Millar on Friday, it was mutually decided to end the agreement.

Though Chapman would not have been involved in the District 15 search, Bangser said they wanted to remove any perception of conflict.

Chapman was the longtime superintendent of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211. Like many retired schools chiefs, he got into consulting work after leaving District 211. Many retired superintendents from the region are listed as "associates" on the Hazard Young Attea Web site.

Chapman couldn't be reached for comment late Friday.