District 128 chooses St. Charles educator as next superintendent
A St. Charles educator has been hired as the next superintendent of Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128.
Denise Herrmann, assistant superintendent for learning and teaching and chief academic officer at St. Charles Unit District 303, will take over the top administrative spot July 1.
Herrmann was chosen from 35 candidates following a national search to replace Prentiss Lea, who is retiring after 12 years as District 128's top administrator.
The school board in a special meeting Monday unanimously approved Herrmann's selection and a three-year contract with an annual base salary starting at $255,000.
"I think the word I've got to use is 'exciting,'" said Pat Groody, school board president. "It's actually fun to have great news to celebrate."
Herrmann will become District 128's fifth superintendent. She began her career in District 303 as a chemistry teacher and served as science department chair. She was an assistant principal in the district from 1991 to 2006, and then principal of Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin from 2006-2014.
Herrmann then took on various posts in California, including assistant superintendent for instruction, overseeing the learning of 36,000 students across 42 sites in Fremont, California.
Before returning to the Midwest last summer, Herrmann was superintendent of Roseville Joint Union High School District in Roseville, California, northeast of Sacramento. She oversaw 10,500 students in five high schools and other facilities.
"Her past experiences at some of the nation's finest schools, combined with her enthusiasm, outstanding leadership qualities and passion for educating students make her a great person to lead our district forward and to build upon the legacies of our two outstanding high schools," Groody said.
District 303 has 12,236 students in 16 schools, compared with about 3,400 in two schools in District 128.
"I look forward to the opportunity to lead (District) 128 and to become an active member of the community," Herrmann said.
Lea discussed his retirement with the school board some time ago but didn't announce it publicly until late September. Former District 128 Superintendent David Clough and former New Trier District 203 Superintendent Linda Yonke facilitated the search. The school board, administrators, teachers and support staff and community members were involved in the interview process.
Herrmann's contract will be linked to student performance and academic improvement. It calls for a 1.5% annual bonus if bench marks are met.
District 128 also will pay Herrmann's premiums for medical, dental and vision insurance. The contract also calls for the district to contribute an amount equal to 5% of her salary to a deferred-compensation plan of Herrmann's choice.