Lake Park tabs Glenbard administrator as new superintendent

Lake Park High School District 108 has tabbed an administrator from a neighboring system to be its next superintendent.

Jeff Feucht, who has served as assistant superintendent for educational services in Glenbard High School District 87 since 2012, will assume his new duties July 1. He will replace Lynn Panega, who is retiring after 16 years at Lake Park, including the past 10 as superintendent.

The school board unanimously approved his three-year contract Wednesday night. He will be paid $240,000 in his first year, but will pay his own contribution to the teacher retirement system.

"Dr. Feucht demonstrated communication, leadership and interpersonal skills that ranked high in our superintendent search survey," school board President Barbara Layer said in a written statement. "The board of education is confident that he brings a student-centered vision that will make him an asset to our entire Lancer community."

Feucht, 43, becomes the seventh superintendent in the district's 64-year history.

In his current role in Illinois' third-largest high school district, Feucht has led the instructional leadership team in receiving national recognition for providing sustained professional growth programs for its teachers and closing student enrollment gaps in advanced placement courses by race and income. District 108 officials said he also brings extensive experience in strategic planning, instructional technology and implementation of innovative course offerings.

He previously served as an assistant principal at Glenbard West High School and taught at Bartlett High School in Elgin Area District U-46.

A native of Elgin, Feucht said he is aware of Lake Park's "reputation as a tight-knit and supportive community."

He said he looks forward to meeting with students, staff and community members.

"My goal going in is to work hard to sustain the great work already going on ... and to engage the entire school community," he said.

Glenbard Superintendent David Larson praised Feucht's "driving commitment to excellence and his quest for educational opportunities for all of our students," in a statement released Wednesday night. "Through his vast knowledge, strong work ethic and collegial collaboration, he has had a significant positive impact on our educational program."

Feucht said he will put the needs of students first, but "to support students also means we support the professional growth of teachers."

He spent 11 years as a high school English and social studies teacher, he said, and recognized the profession's importance as far back as his own high school days when an English teacher in Elgin "made all her students feel like they had a talent to share" and ultimately inspired him to go into education.

The Lake Park school board worked with a search firm during the first semester of the school year to find the new superintendent. Officials said the process involved stakeholder surveys and focus groups.

Feucht, who lives in Park Ridge with his wife and two daughters, has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, a master's degree from Aurora University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Aurora University in 2011.

Lake Park has two campuses in Roselle and serves roughly 2,600 students from Itasca, Keeneyville and Medinah, and portions of Roselle, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park and Wood Dale.