'So many great memories' for Northbrook superintendent, including one last first day

This year, one of Larry Hewitt's favorite days had also a slight twinge of sadness.

On the first day of class the Northbrook School District 28 superintendent made the rounds of the schools he'd served the past 15 years.

After 33 years as an educator and 50 consecutive years walking into schools either as a student or professional, Aug. 19 was Hewitt's final first day, for he's retiring after the 2021-22 campaign.

"If I stop and think about it, it is bittersweet. But there's a lot to do," Dr. Hewitt said near the playground at Westmoor Elementary School, 2500 Cherry Lane, on a hot day.

"The school year, we have a long way to go so I don't think about it a lot right now but if I do stop, yes, because there's so many great memories that I have. And I tell people, one of my favorite days of the year is the first day of school - along with graduation. Those are probably my two favorite days of the year."

A national search and consulting firm specializing in education, School Exec Connect, is working on finding Hewitt's successor. Consultants leading the search include Dr. Linda Yonke, a retired New Trier High School District superintendent who lives in Northbrook.

The reason Hewitt savors the first day of school is a simple one, which jibes with the "about the kids" mantra he'd bring up later regarding improvements he'd helped facilitate in the district.

"You know what, it's when I see fathers and mothers, moms and dads, walking their children to school, dropping them off, giving them hugs and high-fives, encouraging them. The kids are filled with excitement. It's just a magical time," he said.

Last school year may have felt like black magic under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approaching what Hewitt called probably the most difficult period of his career, during the summer of 2020 the District 28 team planned a parent-choice option for students to either attend school or participate in a "remote-learning academy," he said.

About 75% of parents preferred their children attend in-person. The results were positive, Hewitt said.

"By giving parents that choice option I think in the end both groups felt that their children had a great education last year, and I know in a lot of places it was a lot tougher - not to say it wasn't tough here. That's one of my highlights, I would have to say."

Some of his others were adding an early childhood program for 3- and 4-year-olds, adding full-day kindergarten, and expanded curriculum including a STEM class at Northbrook Junior High.

During his tenure Greenbriar and Westmoor elementary schools and Northbrook Junior High saw renovations or had additions built for a cost of $23 million, achieved without referendum, he said.

"The buildings, of course, are all about the kids," Hewitt said. "It's not the structure, it's what the structure does for the students, and we created lots of new learning spaces and expanded areas, so all of that was for the benefit of the kids."

Growing up on a farm in Manlius, Illinois, about 50 miles due east of Moline, Hewitt was somewhat of a trailblazer in his family by going into education. His wife, Colleen, is a retired kindergarten and first-grade teacher, and the elder of their two daughters, Lainey, is a senior at Elmhurst University who wants to teach music.

Hewitt's sister also is a teacher, in California. His younger daughter, Lucy, is in her freshman year at Elon University in North Carolina.

Aside from volunteering more and perhaps helping his two brothers back on the farm in Manlius, Hewitt's undecided as to what his retirement will look like. He's more focused on making his final year with District 28 run smoothly.

"My whole approach to leadership - whether when I was a principal or now that I've been a superintendent, this is my 18th year - it's really been about service. What I call servant-leadership. You involve other people in decision making, you try to hire the best people you can, and hopefully people that are smarter than you, so that they can do great things. Because it's not about one person," he said.

"When I was a principal it wasn't about me, it was about all of us. As a superintendent it's not about me, it's about all of us. I think that's what I've tried to cultivate, is that sense of camaraderie and teaming. We can do great things together," Hewitt said. "Collective wisdom is a wonderful thing."