New Superintendent Named For High School District 211

PALATINE, IL — A new superintendent has been named for Township High School District 211. According to a news release from the district, Lisa A. Small was confirmed by the Township High School District 211 Board of Education during a meeting Thursday as its next superintendent, starting July 1, 2020. Small, District 211's associate superintendent for instruction since 2014, will replace retiring District 211 Superintendent Daniel E. Cates after working 27 years in the District, including his past six as superintendent, according to the release.

“One of our most important responsibilities as a Board of Education is to hire a superintendent of schools, and we are very excited about our choice of Dr. Small to fill this position,” Board President Robert LeFevre said, in the release. “Dr. Small has been well-respected as a leader in District 211, and her experience in the District will make for a smooth transition into her new role. We are extremely pleased with the positive feedback the Board received about Dr. Small and her leadership during our search, and we know that staff, students, parents, and the community will find her an outstanding person to lead our District.”

Small received her bachelor’s degree in biology education from Ohio State University, and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois University, according to District 211. She also earned a certificate of advanced studies from National Louis University in educational leadership, administration and supervision, and her doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University Chicago, the release said.

Small began her teaching career at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in January 1992, before coming to Hoffman Estates High School as a science and mathematics teacher in August 1992, the release said. This is where Small moved into administration in 2000 when she was named a 10-month assistant principal, serving in that role for two years, and where she also coached volleyball for 10 seasons.

Related: Public Invited To District 211 Superintendent Search Meeting

In 2002, Small was promoted to 12-month assistant principal at Fremd High School, and then was appointed as District 211’s director of instructional improvement in 2004 before being named principal in 2008, according to the release. Dr. Small served as principal at William Fremd High School for six years, from 2008 to 2014.

This decision to name Small as District 211's next superintendent came as a result of an internal and external search process by the Township High School District 211 Board of Education, conducted by School Exec Connect. The process included use of feedback from stakeholder surveys, and focus groups comprised of a cross-section of District constituents, including community members, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators. Following interview sessions, feedback was gathered by the board, according to the release.

Small was offered a four-year contract at a gross salary of $246,000.