Schools
District 113A Superintendent Birkenmaier Resigns
Susan Birkenmaier has resigned from the D113A Board of Education, effective Oct. 31.
—By Lauren Traut
Lemont-Bromberek District 113A school board members accepted the resignation of Superintendent Susan Birkenmaier during a special meeting of the board Oct. 24.
The board voted 6-0 in approval of the resignation, which is effective Oct. 31. Board member Dave Deitemyer was absent.
After just more than a year with the district, Birkenmaier is leaving to pursue other professional interests, according to a statement from the district. She was not present at the meeting.
Birkenmaier entered into the role in July 2012 amid a flurry of controversy, following the abrupt departure of former Superintendent Tim Ricker at the end of the 2011–2012 school year. Ricker resigned after it came to light that the district owed the state more than $328,956 for unallowable transportation reimbursements received for the 2008-09 school year.
Birkenmaier was under a three-year contract with the district, at an annual salary of $164,000.
The district will operate under the guidance of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Gricus, for the remainder of the school year. The board will soon name an interim superintendent, and a search for a permanent replacement will begin soon.
"The Board of Education is confident that our administrators, faculty and staff remain committed to providing our students with a quality education during this transition period," according to a release from board President Cindy Kelly. "The board fully respects and supports their work and we will ensure that any key issues related to student achievement are our priorities as we plan for the future.
"There is much work to be done as we all strive to provide our students with the quality education they deserve."
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