Plan to replace outgoing Woodland superintendent just beginning

With the start of classes last week, longtime Woodland School District 50 Superintendent Joy Swoboda's retirement is less than two school years away.

The school board began the process of seeking Swoboda's successor last week when it heard a presentation from Tom Leahy, the director of executive searches for the Illinois Association of School Board.

In his presentation, Leahy outlined the search process and advised the board on how it should proceed.

There was little board discussion after Leahy's presentation, but President Carla Little said next month the board will begin planning.

"We will talk about timelines and when we would like to see the next superintendent come on board," Little said. She said board members will likely decide whether they want Swoboda's successor to come on board in July of 2019 or 2020. Once that is established she said they will make a timeline working backward from then and begin to decide what form their process will take.

Swoboda joined the district 23 years ago when she accepted a job as an assistant principal at Woodland Intermediate School. She later became an elementary school principal, then an associate superintendent before getting the top job 13 years ago.

Little was part of the school board that elevated Swoboda to superintendent. Little said the board valued her deep understanding of the district and her determination to improve the quality of education.

"She's not stuck in a particular mindset," Little said. "She's always looking to improve herself and her staff."

The timeline on Swoboda's retirement was established in the spring of 2017 when the school board approved a one-year extension on her contract to take her to the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Little said Swoboda is leaving behind big shoes to fill.

"She's done a great job, and it will be hard to see her go," Little said.