At a special meeting tonight, the Community High School District 128 Board of Education convened to discuss the terms of a potential separation agreement with Superintendent Denise Herrmann and determine next steps to identify interim District leadership for the 2024-2025 school year.
Dr. Herrmann is on paid administrative leave as negotiations proceed. This is not a punitive action, but rather, one that allows the District to begin to move forward in a manner that prioritizes the best interests of our students, families, staff and community. We are hopeful that we will have a fair, fiscally responsible agreement to present for Board action at our next regular meeting on July 22. It is important to note that Dr. Herrmann’s current contract with the District was expected to run through 2028. The decision to begin negotiations around a separation agreement between the Board and Dr. Herrmann is mutual, and one that we have reached together after much deliberation and with much disappointment and regret.
The Board is currently working to identify highly qualified, experienced interim leadership for the District 128 superintendency for the duration of the 2024-2025 school year. We hope to have more information to share about this at our July 22 Board meeting, if not sooner. In the meantime, Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly will provide day-to-day coordination for operations among District and school leaders. The Board will look to our District and school leadership teams, including Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Tom Koulentes. Vernon Hills High School Principal Jon Guillaume and Libertyville High School Principal Ray Albin, to guide planning to ensure a smooth start for the 2024-2025 school year on August 12, with teachers returning on August 8.
The Board will look to current District administrators for recommendations regarding any potential adjustments to the pace and process for implementation of these projects planned for the 2024-2025 school year.
In the coming months, the Board will also begin discussions about our intent to conduct a national search to find our next superintendent. As it becomes available, we will share more information about the search process and timeline, as well as opportunities for broad and diverse stakeholder participation in the development of an ideal candidate profile.
In closing, we call upon all members of this community—our teachers and staff, our students and families, and our entire community—to balance both urgency and patience, to keep an open heart and an open mind, to speak with kindness and civility, and to work together to enhance the teaching and learning experience so that our schools and students continue to demonstrate the highest levels of excellence and achievement of which we are all so proud and to which we all aspire.
As always, thank you for your support of District 128 schools and students.
Sincerely,
Board of Education
Community High School District 128