District 113A Continues Search for Interim Superintendent

 will continue its search for a part-time interim superintendent Tuesday night, nearly one month after of former Superintendent Tim Ricker.

During a special meeting Jan. 11, board members interviewed three candidates during a three-hour closed session, but delayed taking any action. Another candidate was interviewed Dec. 23, the same night the board accepted Ricker's resignation.

So far, all four candidates have been brought forth by the Illinois Association of School Boards,  that is helping the district find a permanent leader.

In an interview Thursday, Board Member Lisa Wright told Patch the board is still considering additional candidates, but hopes to make a decision as soon as possible.

"We're taking this process very seriously, and we recognize that we need to find someone in a timely fashion," Wright said. "However, we're not just looking for a warm body to fill the position. There is work to be done, and we need to be absolutely certain that we find the right person."

District 113A has been under the direction of Asst. Superintendent Mary Gricus and the district's administrative team since Jan. 1, the day after Ricker's resignation became effective.

Last week, 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, Wright said.

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.

According to the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, the board anticipates action as a result of closed session.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at , 16100 W. 127th St. For more information, visit www.sd113a.org.

Interested in attending a public forum on the superintendent search process?