Libertyville's Friedman named top superintendent in Illinois
Parents, students and staff in Libertyville Elementary District 70 are as likely to see Supt. Mark Friedman out and about as behind a desk.
Friedman's preference for face to face interaction and community involvement has become well known in a long career that reached a high point Sunday, when he was named the 2009 Illinois Superintendent of the Year.
The award, sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Administrators, builds on the honor he received in May as Superintendent of the Year in Lake County.
He accepted the award today, Sunday, in Chicago at the Third General Session of the IASB, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
"You can't put it into words," said Friedman, 61. "Nobody ever thinks about (winning awards) when you do your job every day. It comes as a surprise."
The award caps his 17-year tenure as superintendent in District 70. He may not be done, however, since the state honor puts him in competition for the national title to be announced in January.
Friedman announced in June that he would retire after the 2008-09 school year.
"When I took the position in 1992 I never imagined that I would find such comfort and acceptance in this wonderful community," he wrote to parents. "It truly exceeded all expectations."
Friedman was selected from among 865 Illinois superintendents. During his tenure, District 70 has moved to solid financial footing, with three rounds of remodeling and construction accomplished without a referendum.
"When I came on board, we were in the red big time," said school board President Inna Kerrigan, a retired administrator who has been on the District 70 board 12 years.
Schools also have continued to improve academically. About 95 percent of the 2,650 students in District 70 met or exceeded standards on the most recent Illinois Standards Achievement Tests.
Friedman is noted for his passion in terms student achievement and commitment to utilizing technology in the classroom. He created a technology department to ensure that aspect was up to date for 21st Century learning.
By the time he leaves, Friedman will have hired about 85 percent of the district's staff.
Aside from his many professional associations, including serving on the board of the Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum for 23 years, Friedman is known as a hands-on administrator.
"Boys and girls know him. Parents respect him and teachers respect him," Kerrigan said.
Friedman says his presence at after-hours events such as open houses, curriculum nights and the like is a show of support for a group effort.
"It's all about the family," he said. "We call it a true learning community."