Longtime educators vie for Lake superintendent

The principal of North Chicago Community High School and a newcomer to politics is seeking to take the office of Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools from the woman who has held it for more than seven years.

Dan McDermott, a Democrat, says the academic progress North Chicago High School has made in the nearly two years he has been there, show he can get results.

Republican Roycealee Wood, who also has roots in the North Chicago school system, has been regional superintendent since 2003 and says she has 40 years of experience in Lake County schools.

The regional superintendent's office has 43 employees and supervises 45 school districts in the county with approximately 139,000 students and 12,000 teachers.

A constitutional office, the regional superintendent is responsible for certifying educators, training bus drivers and developing programs for students and educators.

McDermott, 53, cites his experience as a teacher and principal at the elementary, middle school and high school levels as his primary qualifications for the position.

He said he has also worked in private industry, and wants to create a countywide business and education foundation to create funding for schools that will not add to the tax burden.

McDermott said his 23 months of experience at North Chicago High School, which has been on the state academic watch list for seven years, are proof he can make a difference.

The school has improved its reading scores by 15 percent, added a 100-hour community service requirement for graduation and leads Lake County in student attendance.

In the future, McDermott said he wants to increase virtual learning opportunities both for teacher professional development and students in need of alternative methods to earn high school diplomas.

Wood, 69, was in the North Chicago school system as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

She was the county's assistant regional superintendent of school for nine years before her election to the top position.

Wood said her priority in the office is student safety and health and she has worked with other government agencies and community groups to prevent violence and promote student health.

She said she is working with state and federal legislators to lobby for more for funding for schools in the county and at the same time counseling school districts on how to do more with less.

Wood said her office has established mentoring programs for teachers and principals and is in the process for developing a similar program for school superintendents.

The election is Nov. 2.