District 300 close to naming next superintendent
A decision on who will lead Community Unit District 300 could be made in two weeks, a district official said Monday.
The school board has narrowed its list of candidates to two finalists for the superintendent's job. The board will interview the pair a second time in closed session this week, said Joe Stevens, board vice president.
Though the school board does not have a meeting scheduled, an announcement could come as early as next week, Stevens said.
"What we will probably do is sign a nonbinding letter of intent and vote on it at the board meeting (April 28)," Stevens said. "It can't be official until the board has a vote in public."
Superintendent Michael Bregy is leaving the district to oversee Highland Park-based North Shore School District 112.
The Carpentersville-based district launched a nationwide search for Bregy's replacement, spending $18,500 to hire a headhunting firm.
Rosemont-based search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates compiled a profile of the ideal candidate based on recommendations from district staff and board members, parents and the community gathered through interviews, focus groups and an online survey.
The firm initially pared down a list of 25 candidates to the top five contenders who were interviewed by the school board over a two-day period, Stevens said.
As for particulars on the two finalists, Stevens would say only that they are "external candidates."
Bregy, who has been with District 300 14 years and served as superintendent since 2011, is the first superintendent to leave of his own will to pursue another career opportunity. Most former superintendents have either retired or been removed by past school boards, Stevens said.
"We were very happy with Dr. Bregy," said Stevens, who was on the board when Bregy was tapped as superintendent.
Stevens said while Bregy's departure is a loss for the district, the caliber of candidates seeking the superintendent's post have been impressive.
"We will not only be maintaining our momentum; we will probably be taking a leap forward," he said.