Dist. 94 discusses superintendent search

School board members at West Chicago Community High School District 94 had their first discussion Tuesday on how to go about replacing Superintendent Lee Rieck when he retires in 2009.

Board President Tony Reyes briefly mentioned several options at the board's disposal in searching for a new candidate, among them hiring a search firm, conducting an in-house search or using the school district's law firm to help in the process.

"One of the biggest responsibilities this board has is to find somebody who is going to lead this school," Reyes said. "We have an opportunity to make sure we do it right."

It will be several months before board members need to begin actively pursuing a candidate to replace Rieck after his tenure ends in spring 2009.

School board member Gordon Cole asked his colleagues to consider the possibility of combining the superintendent and principal positions for the one-school district.

"We should take a look at that possibility before we get too far along in the process," Cole said. "I don't know if in the long run it makes sense."

Fellow board member Rich Nagel said the positions often have conflicting roles that may force the district to rely on assistants, preventing District 94 from saving any money.

Nagel urged the school board to consider meeting with various stakeholders in the community in the coming months to hash out a profile for the district's next superintendent.

"We've got to define what we're looking for," Nagel said. "So we need to understand the values of the person we're going to go after."

The District 94 school board is expected to discuss the topic again sometime next month.