Antioch Elementary District 34 chief to resign

Antioch Elementary District 34 Superintendent Scott Thompson has announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2010 school year.

The district's leader for the past five years, Thompson, 52, said ongoing contention between him and the school board is not in the best interest of the students.

In a news release, Thompson cited "conflicting priorities between my leadership ideals and those of the board.

Given the conflicts, it is in the best interest of the children in the district for me to move on at the end of the upcoming school year," he said.

The school board will meet Aug. 18 to talk about finding Thompson's replacement.

The news release detailed Thompson's achievements including improved ISAT scores, the implementation of a five-year strategic plan and a balanced budget among other items.

School Board President Joni Kalstrup acknowledged improved student academic performance under Thompson's leadership, but said his administration lacks openness.

"From a parent, teacher and staff perspective, there is a lack of transparency," she said Tuesday. "There is an appearance that people are not empowered to make decisions and participate in the way they want to."

Kalstrup said Thompson also failed to achieve unity among the board and the administration.

School board member Ken Miller said he's sorry to see Thompson go.

"It's unfortunate the school district is losing Scott," Miller said. "The existing conflicts go beyond the operation of the school system to personal agendas on the part of board members. Those agendas are driven based on personal experience and have deteriorated the professionalism of the board."

Thompson will leave the district making nearly $165,000 annually. He said he is pursuing other superintendent positions in Lake County and beyond, but wouldn't be more specific.

"I have had the distinct pleasure of working with a large group of dedicated teachers and staff who have greatly improved the educational offering to the children of District 34," he said. "The future of these children is brighter because of the hard work of these individuals."

Thompson declined to comment beyond statements made in the news release.