Zook calls it quits at Hawthorn 73

Susan Zook, who rose from assistant principal to the top administrative spot during 19 years at Hawthorn Elementary District 73, has informed the school board that next year will be her last.

The decision had nothing to do with job performance or desire to stay, but uncertainty regarding the structure of pension benefits hastened her departure from the Vernon Hills-based district, officials said.

“She made her choice based on the current situation of retirement,” said school board President Tim Shanahan. “It’s a personal decision she made. We wanted her to stay.”

He added Zook had been doing a “great job” and her resignation was accepted with “sorrow and reluctance.”

In a letter to the board, Zook said it was with mixed emotions she decided to retire June 30, 2012, when her current contract as superintendent ends.

“I have had the opportunity to be a part of bringing to Hawthorn many innovative, cutting edge programs for our students and staff,” she wrote. “I have spent some of the best times of my life here, which will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Though it wasn’t stated in the letter, Zook, who has 35 years experience in public education, said Wednesday it makes sense for her not to “get caught up in a situation,” in which restrictions may be imposed by the state on retirement benefits.

“With all of the uncertainty that’s happening right now with the pension (Teachers’ Retirement System), every person I’ve talked to said, `Go before they make changes,’” she said.

A new section of the state Pension Code that took affect Jan. 1, raised the minimum age and limited the amount of salary that could be used to calculate retirement benefits for new hires.

But proposed legislation could also affect active employees by increasing teacher contributions to the system or capping the salary to be used in the retirement calculation, for example.

Zook, who soon will turn 57, said possible restrictions on interim jobs or other employment also were considerations.

Because of her age and length of service, she is eligible to receive 75 percent of the average of her highest four consecutive years of salary. Her base salary currently is $177,500, but with benefits it amounts to about $210,000.

“It’s truly the uncertainty of it all,” she said, adding she would have been willing to stay for another five years.

Zook came to District 73 as assistant principal of the junior high school and progressed to principal, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent elect, officially replacing Youssef Yomtoob in July 2009.

She is regarded as a straight shooter who embraces change and successfully has brought various interests together to deal with big issues such as budget deficits and big-picture planning.

Money remains a pressing concern, and other issues such as possible changes in attendance boundaries and a full-day tuition-based kindergarten will keep Zook busy.

“There is a lot left here to do. We’ve got some real (financial) challenges,” she said, adding there is a way to go before the end of the contract.

“Whenever that day comes it will be very, very hard to leave,” she said.