No explanations for Dist. 158 parents

Parents seeking answers following the abrupt departure of Huntley Unit District 158 special education Director Cheryl Kalkirtz received few on Thursday at a meeting with district staff.

Superintendent John Burkey confirmed last week that Kalkirtz, who assumed her post in July, is no longer a district employee but declined to provide a reason for her resignation or dismissal.

Kalkirtz also refused to comment.

Despite the dearth of information, Associate Superintendent Terry Awrey did allude to Kalkirtz's exit at the outset of Thursday's meeting of the Parent Advisory Committee, a group of District 158 moms that discusses issues relating to special-needs children.

"We are once again facing a time of change," Awrey said. "Due to personnel issues that are involved - we will not be able to address some of those questions."

Kalkirtz is the fifth top administrator to leave the district's special education department in the past year and the second in recent months.

At Thursday's meeting, parents met the women who will fill the recent vacancies.

Assistant Director Karen Aylward is slated to take over as interim director of special services, while Amy Tetrev will step into Aylward's assistant role and Christy Chambers will consult on at-risk and special needs preschool.

"I am excited to step into the position," Aylward said. "I know all of the staff quite well."

The staff changes await the approval of the school board, likely on Feb. 18.

Like their predecessors, Aylward and her staff will have to work to counter parents' distrust of the district, very much in evidence on Thursday.

"We're not seeing the change yet," Lake in the Hills mother Sheri O'Brien said. "My child's getting failed. It has to change."