It's two steps to stepping down for school official

Stanton School Principal Bill Lomas will step down from one of his jobs to focus on the other: being associate superintendent at Fox Lake Elementary School District 114.

But that move will also be short-lived, Lomas explained Tuesday.

Lomas is currently both the associate superintendent at Fox Lake Elementary School District 114 and principal of Stanton School.

He will step down as principal following the 2008-09 school year. Then, he will step down as associate superintendent following the 2009-2010 school year, retiring for good at the age of 55.

"This is something we've been talking about since the end of the 2004 school year," he said. "It's not just to make a seamless transition at Stanton, but also for the administration. We have been planning internally and are prepared for the transition."

Stanton's assistant principal, Jeff Sefcik, will take over as principal of the school in 2009, while fifth-grade teacher Matt Peters will be brought on as assistant principal of the middle school next fall.

Sefcik was hired at Stanton two years ago and has been learning the ins and outs of the district from Lomas. Peters will spend one year learning the assistant principal position from Sefcik.

"The district is in a lucky position where we are able to get people up to speed before the leadership moves on," he said. "So, when a person leaves the position, no one notices the change. That was our goal, to make this transition as smooth as possible."

Superintendent John Donnellan said the district is fortunate to have the ability to transition Lomas out slowly.

"It's nice to have Bill and his experience around to help transition the district to move on," he said. "If Bill were gone and something would have come up, it could be difficult. But, under the current situation, we can count on him to help guide us through."

Lomas admitted being nervous for the final days, but said he has been happy working at the Fox Lake school district.

"It's a small school district where we all wear many hats," he said. "I have been really blessed the board has given me the opportunity to be here as long as I have and to do the things I've done."