Superintendent Search launch :::
LT selects search firm for nationwide superintendent hunt
The Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education began its year-long search for a new superintendent with the selection of Hazard Young & Attea & Associates who will conduct a nationwide search for a new superintendent to replace Dennis Kelly, who will retire in June 2009, after 17 years with the district.
The formal commencement of the search will begin on April 2
with a Community Forum in the South Campus Performing Arts Center at 7pm. All community members are
welcome to attend. At the forum, a team from Hazard, Young & Attea will gain input on the
qualities and attributes community members want in a superintendent.
Community members unable to attend the Community Forum on April 2, may download a copy of the
Leadership Profile from the district 204 website at (the survey date has passed) and submit
their input on leadership qualities and issues to the search firm.
Throughout the months of April and May, Hazard, Young & Attea will continue to meet with
and interview no less than 10 other school and community groups to gather additional feedback. “It’s
critical that the district create opportunities to dialogue with all of our audiences to gather
feedback and input on the type of person they want to lead our district,” said Director of Human
Resources Tim Kilrea.
By June, the search firm will have compiled the information they collected and will present
it to the Board as the framework for the leadership search criteria for the person being sought.
Process to date
In November, the Board sent a Request for Proposal to consultants around the
country with proven experience in locating and placing school superintendents. LTHS received seven
proposals and, after review, invited three firms to make a presentation to the Board. After a
second round of interviews, the Board selected the Glenview, Illinois based firm of Hazard, Young,
Attea & Associates.
Why hire a search firm?
A professional search firm is critical to an effective process for several reasons.
The number of persons seeking superintendent positions – both in Illinois and throughout the nation
– has declined dramatically. In part due to early retirement programs that have made it
financially attractive for educators to retire and in part because the number of persons securing
the credentials necessary to be a superintendent is declining nationally.
Timeline
March - April: Development of Leadership Profile
May 19: Leadership Profile presented to Board
June-November, 2008: Hazard, Young, Attea begins recruitment and conducts search
Winter 2008/2009: Candidates interviewed and new superintendent announced