District 128 superintendent search turns a corner
A leadership profile is complete and the search for a new superintendent in Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 is heading into the interview phase.
The position opened this summer after beleaguered Superintendent Denise Herrmann reached a separation agreement with the school board and departed the post she’d held since 2021.
The board appointed veteran educators Raymond Lechner and Rebecca Nelson as interim superintendents in July and later hired search firm BWP & Associates to find candidates for a permanent replacement.
Part of the process involved a community survey to help build a leadership profile outlining the professional and personal characteristics that teachers, parents, administrators and students expect and value in a superintendent.
A profile report presented by BWP representatives this week showed 1,423 people completed the survey.
“Clearly, we had enough responses to have very strong validity for this search,” said Joe Porto of BWP.
A family-like culture in the district, growing diversity of students, excellent teachers and staff, and academic achievement were among the positives, according to BWP.
Challenges include concerns about events that triggered the decision to find a new superintendent and its aftermath. Respondents also cited the need for transparency and to rebuild trust, Porto reported.
“All of this caused low morale and a trauma-like atmosphere,” he added.
Being an “effective and purposeful communicator” and not someone distant sitting in their office was mentioned most frequently as a desired trait for the next superintendent, BWP reported.
Respondents also are looking for “someone who can build consensus and work in a collaborative manner,” said Victoria Hansen of BWP.
“I see a really good profile for what makes a good leader in a good organization. I'm pleased with what I see,” said school board President Jim Batson.
Another question is how incoming board members will be involved in the process. Four of seven incumbents are not running for reelection and with an unexpired two-year term also on the ballot April 1, there is a possibility five new board members would be working with a superintendent they didn't hire.
A confidential advisory group of stakeholders will interview the finalists and the board will use the feedback from that group to make its final selection.
Next week, BWP will conduct initial interviews with 10 to 12 candidates most closely matching the leadership profile. On Jan. 13, the search firm will conduct an interview preparation workshop with thew board.
A first round of interviews will be held Jan. 16 to 18 in closed session. A second round will be held Jan. 22 and 23. The hire is expected to be made at a school board meeting on Feb. 10 or 24.