At its July 22, 2024 meeting, the Community High School District 128 Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Raymond Lechner and Rebecca Nelson as interim superintendents for the 2024-2025 school year. Due to state pension laws that limit superintendents to 120 working days per year after retirement, two interims are necessary.
The Board looks forward to Lechner and Nelson beginning their interim roles and is confident District 128 will benefit from their collective leadership experience. They are veteran school district administrators with proven track records of success in supporting students, staff, and the community while striving for operational excellence.
Dr. Lechner was superintendent at Wilmette Public Schools District 30 from 2007 - 2019. Since retiring, he has served as an interim superintendent at Hinsdale Township High School District 86 (2023-2024); Marquardt School District 15 (2022-2023); Bensenville School District 2 (2021-2022); DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 (2020-2021), and Center Cass School District 66 (2019-2020).
Dr. Nelson was superintendent for Skokie School District 69 (2004 - 2008) and Dean of the School of Education at North Park University (2008 - 2021). Since retiring, she most recently served in the role of interim superintendent at Hinsdale Township High School District 86 (2024); Marquardt School District 15 (2022-23) and Bensenville School District 2 (2021-2022).
The Board will soon begin the search process for a permanent superintendent who will take over on July 1, 2025. The comprehensive national search will begin this fall and will include input from parents, staff, students and community members.
On July 8, the Board and Superintendent Denise Herrmann announced a mutual agreement to negotiate the terms of a separation agreement. Negotiations are ongoing, and Dr. Herrmann will remain on administrative leave. An update will be provided as soon as it is available.
Sincerely,
Board of Education
Community High School District 128