advertisement

Lake Villa Elementary District 41 names Lynette Zimmer its new superintendent

The next superintendent for Lake Villa Elementary District 41 will begin transitioning into that role Jan. 1, officials announced.

Lynette Zimmer, now the superintendent of Prairie Grove School District 46 in Crystal Lake, was tapped for the job. She’ll succeed Superintendent John Van Pelt, who is retiring.

“I’m very excited about the appointment,” Zimmer told the Daily Herald on Thursday. “There’s a strong sense of community there.”

Van Pelt announced in June that he planned to retire in 2014. He’s led District 41 since 2005.

Zimmer will take the reins solo starting July 1, 2014.

The District 41 board voted Monday to give Zimmer a three-year contract. She’ll be paid $167,000 annually starting in July.

Zimmer will be paid on an hourly basis during the earlier transition period, board President Michael Conway said.

She will face some significant challenges in her new job, especially the ramifications of the closure of Pleviak Elementary School next summer. Students who would have attended Pleviak will go to other schools in the district.

“I want to be involved in some of the decisions with that,” Zimmer said.

She also will also have to handle a fiscal deficit and shrinking enrollment.

Zimmer announced her resignation from Prairie Grove in a letter to parents this week. She will remain with District 46 through the 2013-14 term.

She joined Prairie Grove as superintendent in 2010.

She previously had served as assistant superintendent of educational services in Fremont Elementary District 79, which is in the Mundelein area.

Zimmer also had been a teacher and a building principal in Fremont District 79, as well as an adjunct professor at Concordia University of Chicago and National Louis University.

Zimmer was one of three finalists for the post. Trustees were impressed with her educational background and experience, Conway said.

Van Pelt to retire from Lake Villa Elementary District 41 in 2014

Officials hope to use Pleviak School after it closes

Grade levels won’t change at District 41 schools

  Lake Villa Elementary District 41 board President Michael Conway and Superintendent John Van Pelt at a meeting. Russell Lissau/rlissau@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.