Search Firm Begins Vetting District 113A Superintendent Candidates

The next superintendent of Lemont-Bromberek District 113A should be a seasoned leader and skilled communicator with a well-rounded educational background, as concluded by search firm School Exec Connect.

The firm detailed its findings to the Board of Education on Wednesday. The report is based on feedback from 49 community members in various forums and 149 responses to an online survey.

The firm has subsequently narrowed its focus to applicants who are sitting superintendents. 

"This should not be a training run to teach someone how to be a superintendent," said firm representative Tom Madden. 

The district's reputation of financial woes, micromanagement, and poor board relations precedes it, Madden said, and has proven an obstacle in the search process. The board will have to convince candidates that things are improving. 

Interim Superintendent Pamela Hollich expressed that she would vouch for the board.

"I personally have found this group of people easy to work with, both individually and collectively," Hollich said. 

The firm gravitated toward 8 of the 35 applicants, and began interviews began a Thursday, to continue through the weekend. Some board members asked the firm to also consider "rising star" applicants, who might not be current superintendents, but have assumed managerial roles or tasks in their current positions. 

Board President Cindy Kelly said she feels ready to choose the new superintendent. 

"I feel much more comfortable with these guys sitting with me in choosing the next superintendent,” she said. "We're much closer in how we think." 

The firm intends to present a slate of five to seven candidates Feb. 19. 

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