By Staff
The Niles Community Schools Board of Education has announced a timeline in its search for a replacement to current Superintendent Doug Law.
Law had informed the board in August that he would retire in June 2010, and he described the decision then as bittersweet.
"Very much so," Law said back in August. "I've spent my entire career here and have been fully vested here."
Board President, Elaine Miller, announced the timeline Wednesday afternoon.
"The board is very grateful to Mr. Law for giving us early notice of his intent to retire in the summer of 2010," she said. "During this school year, the board has reviewed its options and discussed the search process with several search consultants."
According to the announcement, the board had been considering an idea to create a superintendent-elect position, hiring someone to work with Law next year. That idea was apparently abandoned due to the cost of the position and the current economic climate.
In its effort to continue with the hiring process, the board will do formal interviews of superintendent search companies in August and select a company to run the search.
Input from the staff, community, and parents on the characteristics that people feel are important to look for in a new leader of the district will be gathered by the board in the fall.
That information will be what develops a candidate profile for the board as well as a subsequent job posting.
The position is slated to post in late November with applications due in mid-January. Both inside and outside candidates will be considered.
First and second interviews are scheduled for early February, with possible visitations to the school districts of those candidates invited back for a second interview.
The board is hoping to have a new superintendent selected to replace Law by or before March 1, 2010. The selection date would allow Law's replacement time to spend with the outgoing superintendent before June.
"The consultants have told us that the solid financial position of the district, the longevity of the board and superintendent, as well as the positive reputation of the district will be very attractive to potential candidates," Miller said.
Law is the fourth superintendent to serve the district in 40 years.
"Every board member recognizes that this is one of the most important decisions we will make as a member of the Board of Education," she continued. "We are very pleased that we have ample time to make a thoughtful and thorough search."
Law has built a career of 39 years entirely within the Niles Community School System. He began as a fifth grade teacher at Howard Elementary School and served in positions including reading consultant, principal of Niles High School and assistant superintendent.