Interim superintendent in Antioch District 34 expected in weeks
The circumstances regarding the abrupt departure of Jay Marino as superintendent at Antioch Elementary District 34 remain unclear but a process to replace him is underway.
The school board Tuesday approved a separation agreement with Marino, who was in his sixth school year with the district. He has been on leave for an undisclosed reason since Nov. 1.
School board President MaryBeth Hulting on Wednesday declined to offer an explanation other than "it was in our best interest to part ways at this point."
"He (Marino) is only being paid through the end of November. We did not buy out - nothing like that," she added. The payout includes 11 vacation days, according Hulting.
Marino was hired to start the 2014-15 school year. His current base salary is $221,122. He could not be reached for comment.
According to an online biography, Marino is an international consultant assisting American and European school organizations in their continuous improvement efforts.
"Really, all I can say is the board felt at this juncture, it was in the best interest of the students to move in a different direction," Hulting said of the separation with Marino.
Four former superintendents have been identified by a consultant as candidates to fill the position in the interim, she said. Interviews will start next week, she added.
"We hope to have that complete in two weeks and we can identify that person to serve out the rest of the school year until June 30," Hulting said.
The district has wrapped up a two-year, $25.6 million building renovation and expansion program. School boundaries have changed and a K-5 model intended to reduce the number of schools students attend through their eight years in the district began this year.
The next big project is to examine Antioch Upper Grade School in its totality, according to Hulting.
"We're really, really excited about the future and the changes what will come about in the next year," she said. "We're hoping to form a tight bond with the high school so things are seamless."
The search for a new permanent superintendent will be fastracked, according to Hulting.
District 34 serves about 2,800 students in five schools covering Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.