LFHS Seeks New Principal by June 30

Lake Forest High School is wasting no time finding a replacement for retired Principal Jay Hoffmann and hopes to have a new leader at the helm by June 30, according to an email Superintendent Michael Simeck sent to parents Wednesday.

A search firm has been hired by Lake Forest Community High School District 115 and has been charged with finding a quick replacement in part to give interim Principal Jim Thiel, who retires at the end of the 2013-14 term, and the new head of the school time to work together.

Earlier: Lake Forest High School Principal To Retire Early

“We can conduct a national/international search and thus will have a stronger talent pool,” Simeck said in the email. “Due to changes in certification requirements from the state, a search conducted after June 30 of this year would have limited us effectively to only candidates from Illinois.”

Simeck emphasized the importance of Thiel and the new principal having a year to work together. “This is a crucial relationship and the more time the better for transitioning a new principal,” Simeck said in the email.

Should the available candidates not meet the standards set by the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education, Simeck made it clear the search will continue beyond the current deadline. “We can always opt for a Plan B if the initial talent pool does not impress us,” he said in the email.

Hoffmann’s immediate retirement came as a surprise to many and Simeck made it clear privacy requirements prohibited him from discussing it publically. Simeck said the Board will learn more details before making a hiring decision. “It can and will be discussed in closed session with the Board,” Simeck said in the email.

Simeck also continued to offer praise for the job Hoffman has done during his tenure. He credits Hoffmann’s effort as one of the reasons Lake Forest High School has continually been among the state’s best.

“The fact that the school continues to function at such a high level and will continue to do so after his (Hoffmann’s) departure is a testament to his years of effective work and the very good people he selected to work with our students,” Simeck said in the email. 

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