District 113A Delays Hiring Interim Superintendent

The Board of Education delayed voting on the appointment of an interim superintendent Wednesday night, despite interviewing three additional candidates.

Following a three-hour closed session, board members did not immediately discuss their search for a part-time interim superintendent to replace Tim Ricker, .

The board did, however, vote unanimously to appoint Asst. Superintendent Mary Gricus as the lead administrator for District 113A through the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.

District 113A has been under the leadership of Gricus and the district's administrative team while the school board searches for an interim superintendent, who will serve on a part-time basis until June 30, the date Ricker before he resigned.

Gricus is ineligible for the position because she lacks the necessary certification, according to district officials. 

Board President Mike Aurelio said Gricus will carry out the responsibilities outlined by the board, and will receive per diem compensation at a rate stipulated during closed session.

The rate was not immediately available Wednesday night.

Before the meeting was adjourned, Board Vice President Dave Molitor initiated a discussion on how the board will proceed with its search for an interim superintendent.

So far, all four candidates interviewed by the board have been brought forth by the Illinois Association of School Boards, that is helping the district find a permanent leader. The first candidate for the interim position was interviewed during closed session Dec. 23, the same night the board approved the resignation agreement with Ricker.

Board Member Kevin Doherty asked for a future agenda item in which the board could discuss the interim superintendent search, prompting a debate about the time frame for making the appointment.

"We're putting the district on hold while we bicker over a process that should have been straightforward," Board Member Al Malley said after questioning how long the board could put off the decision.

Board members appeared to be at odds over a potential candidate and the process by which candidates are presented to the board. Although all candidates have been going through IASB consultant Dawn Miller, Doherty implied that one individual reached out to him directly and was subsequently removed from consideration by the board.

Although the conversation about the candidate remained somewhat vague, Aurelio said his issue was that he asked for a resume multiple times before finally receiving one Monday.

Molitor and Doherty argued that the district still has some time and that the board should consider all possible candidates.

"I'm not willing to exclude anyone," Molitor said.

Gricus said the Illinois State Board of Education has yet to give the district a definitive deadline for hiring an interim superintendent. She plans to speak with a representative Thursday morning.

Board members agreed to hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, to continue interviewing more candidates. The meeting will be held at , 16100 W. 127th St.