District 113A Board to Begin Interviewing Superintendent Candidates

Officials in are getting closer to finding the district's next superintendent.

School Board Member Lisa Wright, an official spokesperson for District 113A, said the board will begin interviewing candidates during a closed session meeting Saturday morning.

The field has been narrowed down to six candidates, she said. After Saturday's interviews, the board will choose two finalists—both of whom will spend time at District 113A's three schools next week.

On Feb. 22 and Feb. 24, each of the candidates will be interviewed by focus groups comprised of teachers, administrators and representatives from each of Lemont's taxing bodies (, the , ,  and the ).

Special meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. both days. According to district officials, the board will adjourn to close session before calling a recess so board members can take each of the finalists to dinner.

The dinners will give the board an opportunity to socialize with the candidates, and will not include discussion of official business.

Wright said the board hopes to name a new superintendent by the beginning of March.

"The Board of Education has been working together in a collaborative fashion as we prepare to hire District 113A's next leader," she said. "It is exciting and daunting at the same time."

District 113A is currently under the leadership of Interim Superintendent Robert Madonia, who was appointed by the board Jan. 24. He will serve in a part-time capacity through June 30.

Asst. Superintendent Mary Gricus was named  through the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. Gricus will take the lead on the days the interim superintendent is not working, likely two or three days a week. 

Timeline of Superintendent Search

Oct. 14, 2011

Patch reports that District 113A Superintendent Tim Ricker plans to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year—one year before his contract was set to expire.

Oct. 18, 2011

The District 113A Board of Education approves Ricker's retirement request, thus beginning their search for a new superintendent.

Nov. 15, 2011

District 113A board members vote unanimously to hire the Illinois Association of School Boards to assist in the superintendent search process. IASB is a not-for-profit, voluntary organization that provides a number of services to school board members across the state — including executive searches. Basic services will cost the district between $5,000 and $7,500.

Dec. 20, 2011

District 113A Business Manager Barbara Germany informs board members that the district must repay more than $328,000 to the state after receiving "unallowable transportation reimbursements" for claims made during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

, which District 113A received in late August. A special meeting was abruptly called just 24 hours later to discuss "personnel matters."

Dec. 23, 2011

Board member approve Ricker's resignation, effective Dec. 31.

Jan. 11, 2012

District 113A Asst. Superintendent Mary Gricus is named the district's lead administrator through the end of the 2011-12 school year.

Jan. 24, 2012

Longtime educator Robert Madonia is appointed as the district's interim superintendent.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2012

District 113A holds two public forums to give community members the opportunity to participate in the superintendent search process.

Feb. 7, 2012

IASB representatives present final candidates to District 113A board members during a special meeting

Feb. 18, 2012

District 113A board members interview six candidates during a closed session meeting, and narrow group to only two finalists.

Feb. 22 and Feb. 24, 2012

Each of the two finalists spends a day at District 113A meeting with administrators and being interviewed by focus groups. Board members will take each of the candidates to dinner.

March 2011

District 113A names new superintendent.

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