Mitchem To Retire, Superintendent Search Starts In Valley View

BOLINGBROOK, IL — After nine years on the job, Valley View Superintendent James A. Mitchen Jr. will retire on June 30, 2020, and the search for his successor is about to begin, according to the district. This week, VVSD announced that a Libertyville-based search firm will share its recommendations for a search timeline at the June 10 board of education meeting.

According to VVSD board documents, BWP and Associates will be overseeing the search for Mitchem's successor, at a cost of $17,900 plus expenses, estimated around $2,500. A letter of understanding between the board and BWP stipulates that selection of a candidate will be made no later than Jan. 30, 2020, with the new superintendent starting July 1, 2020.

"Along with the primary search efforts, the firm will also provide mentoring and support for the new superintendent if needed for up to one year, as well as providing counsel and assistance to the
board if needed," the letter states.

BWP said it has conducted superintendent searches in 37 states, with almost 100 searches in Illinois alone.

The June 10 meeting will start with a closed executive session at 6:30 p.m. at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Road in Romeoville, followed by the public session at around 7 p.m.

Mitchem, former principal of Bolingbrook High School, has served as superintendent since July 1, 2011, taking the reins at a time when the district faced at $10 million deficit. His tenure as superintendent has been marked by some controversy — including a petition for his dismissal and several years of turnover for the Bolingbrook High School principal role — as well as his call for a total overhaul of the existing school system, a more rigorous curriculum and his belief in the philosophy of "failure is not an option" when it comes to making children succeed academically.