D155 Selects Cary-Grove Principal As New Superintendent

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Cary-Grove High School principal Neil Lesinski has been named as the new superintendent for District 155.

The D155 Board of Education named Lesinski as the new top leader for D155 during a Wednesday meeting. Lesinski will continue as the principal of Cary-Grove High School until June 30 before beginning in his new role on July 1.

The board approved a three-year contract, and Lesinski will receive a base salary of $198,621.

Lesinski will replace the current D155 superintendent Steve Olson, who will retire at the end of this school year after 38 years of service.

“Dr. Lesinski proved throughout this process and throughout his leadership as principal at Cary-Grove High School, the importance of relationships and collaboration with students, staff, parents, and our communities,” said Adam Guss, Board of Education president. “It’s evident that Dr. Lesinski will remain focused on students to foster their growth and personal aspirations.”

Lesinski has served as principal of Cary-Grove High School since 2017 after serving as the district’s director of curriculum & assessment. Under Lesinski’s leadership, Cary-Grove High School has been nationally recognized as a top high school by U.S. News and World Report, according to a news release from D155.

Also during his tenure, Cary-Grove expanded course offerings, increased dual credit and career experience opportunities, and made improvements to multiple classroom spaces.

“Our students and staff make District 155 a truly special place. Additionally, the communities we serve have always supported our schools and partnered with us to bring countless opportunities to students. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with students, staff, parents, and community partners in order to find new ways to help all of our students learn and grow,” Lesinski said.

Lesinski earned a bachelor’s degree in english education from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree in educational leadership along with a type 75 certification from Concordia University Chicago and a doctorate in educational leadership from Aurora University.

Prior to joining District 155, Lesinski served as an English teacher, varsity head coach, career technical education department chair and English department chair at District 117.

The search process began when Olson announced his retirement nearly a year ago. The board hired the Illinois Association of School Boards to oversee the search process, and in May they began their work by hosting several in-person focus groups and solicited feedback via a survey from staff and parents.

This data provided characteristics of an ideal candidate. The position was published nationally, and more than a dozen applications were submitted in the fall. The board conducted six initial interviews before narrowing it down to three finalists and completing those final round interviews last month.