Des Plaines District 62 board negotiating contract with superintendent choice

The Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 board has made its selection for the next superintendent, who could be publicly named as early as Jan. 19, officials said Friday.

Board members will meet Monday in closed session to continue contract negotiations with the candidate. A final contract is set to be voted on by the board at its regularly scheduled Jan. 19 meeting, according to Mindy Ward, the district's spokeswoman.

The new superintendent is expected to be formally introduced to the public at that time, Ward said.

The superintendent's first official day on the job will be July 1, after longtime Superintendent Jane Westerhold's retirement takes effect.

Board members conducted interviews over the last few months with three candidates, a list they narrowed down from the five top candidates presented by search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. The firm collected resumes, facilitated focus group interviews and a community forum, and put together a leadership profile of characteristics stakeholders wanted to see in a new superintendent.

While Ward did not know the total number of candidates who applied, she said most were from the Midwest.

Westerhold is retiring after 11 years as District 62's superintendent.

The school board meeting is at 7 p.m. at Forest Elementary School, 1375 Fifth Ave.