Lake Park appoints acting superintendent

A veteran administrator in Lake Park High School District 108 officially has been tabbed to serve as interim superintendent beginning July 1.

School board members voted Saturday to accept the early resignation of Superintendent John Butts and to appoint Associate Superintendent Lynne Panega to replace him - at least on a temporary basis.

Butts will leave his post June 30, two years before his contract was due to expire. The board has not announced its plans to find his replacement.

Butts announced his resignation last week. Since then, board members have declined to comment on reasons for his departure and have refused to discuss any possible financial terms associated with it.

Officials released a prepared statement saying the board and Butts agreed he made positive contributions to Lake Park but it is now time for new leadership.

School officials said the board will release another statement Tuesday and will answer a Freedom of Information Request submitted by the Daily Herald this week regarding any monetary matters associated with Butts' departure.

As Panega prepares to step in to fill his shoes, she said her goal is to ensure a smooth transition.

"My focus is really on short-term change, taking it one step at a time and proactively communicating with administration and staff," she said. "Our aim is to continue to program assurance and leadership for the district."

In her former duties as associate superintendent, Panega was responsible for overseeing curriculum and instruction design, teacher evaluations, securing grants and working for school improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act, among other responsibilities.

She played a role in implementing Lake Park's Lancer Design for Excellence, a curriculum overhaul that emphasizes college readiness.

Panega said the plan will remain "a critical priority for the district" under her leadership.

Her current contract runs through 2012. She has been with the district for six years.