District 203 taking second look at superintendent pick

The Naperville Unit District 203 school board is reviewing its pick for superintendent in light of revelations his doctorate is from an unaccredited university.

The board is examining Mark Mitrovich's doctoral dissertation and plans to discuss his selection at 7 p.m. today behind closed doors.

President Suzyn Price said the board wants to study the dissertation and "ensure it was as rigorous as we believe it to be."

The board unanimously approved hiring Mitrovich last week after a nationwide search to replace retiring Superintendent Alan Leis. He is scheduled to assume the role July 1.

Mitrovich, 63, serves as chief education officer for EdGate, a Seattle-area company he co-founded. He spent 30 years in education, including a stint as superintendent of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Wash.

But within days of his hiring in District 203, critics began questioning his credentials.

Mitrovich's doctoral degree is from the University of Santa Barbara, which closed in 2006. The university was not nationally accredited, although it was approved by the California Department of Education and its private postsecondary bureau as a degree-granting institution.

Mitrovich attended the school from 1991 to 1993 - at times as part of a distance-learning program - and wrote his 100-plus page dissertation on the impact of principals on infusing technology into schools.

"I think it was done in all earnestness and standards that are acceptable in terms of that type of work," he said Monday.

He has said he was drawn to the university by the reputation of its instructors and the opportunity to pursue his degree remotely. He always has listed the university with his credentials and says he got a good education both from the school and through his professional experience.

Price said the board received Mitrovich's school transcripts through its search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, on Feb. 2, the day it hired the educator.

It wasn't until the day after the vote that board members learned Mitrovich's university was not accredited.

"I would have hoped the search firm would have had this information prior to the decision," Price said. "You want to have all the information you can possibly get."

Hank Gmitro, an associate with the firm and superintendent of Carol Stream District 93, said it is typical to do background checks only on the top one or two candidates because they include records on finances, criminal history, education and more.

The search firm contracted with Baker-Eubanks to do the background checks but that company initially contacted the wrong university, contributing to the delay.

Once the mistake was corrected, it took time to obtain the proper records because the university had closed.

Gmitro said he is responsible for the delay in getting the information to the board and will look at ways to improve the process. Mitrovich, he said, was always straightforward about his educational background.

District 203 already has paid the search firm roughly half of its $19,000 fee, officials said.

Gmitro said a representative of the company will be at tonight's meeting.

What the credential flap will mean to Mitrovich's future with District 203 remains to be seen.

Before the district launched its search, it created a list of desired characteristics for its new superintendent that indicated a doctorate from an accredited university was "preferred."

District 203 teachers who pursue an advanced degree are required to attend accredited institutions for it to count toward a salary increase.

Asked if he felt the lack of accreditation is a problem for his successor, Leis said it is "something the board is going to have to wrestle with because ultimately it's a board decision. My job is to stay focused on making the best transition possible."

Leis said he did not take part in the interview process with the candidates.

The school board did not introduce Mitrovich to the community until after it voted to hire him.

Price said she would not discuss the effect of the credential issue until after the board has a chance to meet as a group.

Mitrovich is flying into town tonight with plans to assist the district in its search for new principals at Naperville Central and Naperville North high schools beginning Wednesday. He said he may attend tonight's board meeting if he arrives on time.

Mitrovich said he has signed his contract, but Price said Monday she had not yet done so.

The pact is a three-year deal with a salary of $203,000.