District 15 plans to choose next superintendent Feb. 9

Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board members hope to hire the district’s next superintendent at their Feb. 9 meeting.

Board members are set to conduct a second round of candidate interviews Jan. 27, as they search for a successor to retiring Superintendent Laurie Heinz.

Libertyville-based consulting firm BWP and Associates, which helped the district select Heinz in 2018, is helping lead the search.

The firm has held focus groups with 28 representatives from district administration; 16 building administrators; 40 teachers, support staff and union representatives; and 20 parents and community partners, as well as the school board members.

Another 1,317 residents responded to an online survey.

“Every group that we sat with talked about diversity and celebrated diversity and more than celebrated it, honored it,” said BWP consultant Brian Ganan.

Participants also brought up challenges facing the district, including finances and budgeting, and staff turnover and shortages.

BWP President Mark Friedman said the survey indicates residents believe experience as a school principal is important. Other traits highlighted include a background of working with diverse populations, experience teaching in an elementary school, a background in curriculum and instruction, district-level administrative leadership and superintendent experience.

“The number of superintendents who are out there that are willing to make a move is not a large group,” he noted.