District 113A Board Expected to Appoint Interim Superintendent Tuesday

The  Board of Education is expected to appoint an interim superintendent Tuesday night—one month after of former Superintendent Tim Ricker.

Board members voted unanimously during a special meeting Jan. 17 to begin negotiations with a candidate, whose name will not be disclosed until a contract is formally approved.

During the meeting, Board President Mike Aurelio said the board hoped to approve a contract Tuesday night.

Six candidates were interviewed since Dec. 23, the date Ricker's resignation was accepted. Board members were assisted in the search process by the Illinois Association of School Boards, which is also assisting the district in its search for a permanent superintendent.

Since Ricker's official departure Dec. 31, District 113A has been under the direction of Asst. Superintendent Mary Gricus and the district's administrative team.

During a special meeting Jan. 11, the board voted unanimously to make Gricus the lead administrator through the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. She is ineligible for the interim superintendent position because she lacks the proper endorsement, according to Board Member Lisa Wright.

Gricus will take the lead on the days the interim superintendent is not working, likely two or three days a week. 

Wright said the board agreed to pay Gricus a per diem rate of $330, the same rate she received when she took on the same role in 2005.

District 113A board members hope to have a permanent superintendent in place by July 1. The district is accepting applications until Jan. 31, and will begin interviewing candidates in February, Aurelio said.

During Tuesday's meeting, the board will also discuss the district's financial plan, which is up for consideration during the Illinois State Board of Education meeting Wednesday.

Also up for discussion: revised interfund loan, laptop/tablet insurance coverae, River Valley bullying prevention pilot program, tax anticipation warrants and finance committee items.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at , 16100 W. 127th St. For more information, visit www.sd113a.org.