Ripple Effect: Lincolnwood Superintendent Resigns, Assistant Retires
Lincolnwood School District 74 Superintendent Mark Klaisner resigned on Tuesday. Assistant Superintendent Susan Brandt retired. The moves come after a group of Lincolnwood residents began questioning district spending.
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Since last month, Lincolnwood School District 74 has seen a lot of changes.
School board member Richard Ruderman resigned, board president David Koder stepped down from his position and a $25-million referendum was resoundly defeated by voters 9-to-1.
Now, Superintendent Mark Klaisner has resigned, "effective immediately." Assistant Superintendent Susan Brandt has also retired. The announcements came before a crowd of about 20 during a school board meeting at District 74's administration building on Tuesday. The board unanimously accepted both Klaisner's resignation and Brandt's retirement.
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School Board President Amy Frankel said “philosophical differences” between the board and administration was the reason both administrators left the school district.
“It is the goal of both parties to effectuate an environment that is best for the children and parents of school district 74,” Frankel said. “Expending additional time and financial resources attempting to reconcile philosophical differences does not further that goal.”
The recent turmoil began with a January open letter that was drafted and circulated by a small group of Lincolnwood residents. The letter showcased wasteful spending, some of which included limousine rides, first-class airfare upgrades and extravagant dinners, by certain school board members and administrators.
The school district responded to that open letter, and said it was going to reimburse the school district about $6,000.
"I think the resignation [and retirement] are the culmination of a huge effort by the citizens," said Lincolnwood resident Mark Collens. "I'm pleased that this is the end result. This is going to be helpful to both the community and the children."
The financial details regarding Klaisner's resignation and who is going to replace him are still unclear. That information, along with other news, will be made available during an extension of yesterday's school board meeting on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
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Scott
8:56 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
This shows when the community gets involved change can happen!
L Wood Scott Bert
9:56 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
This is amazing. A lot has changed because of the residents. But I wonder, was everything that transpired really the supers fault? Or did we need a scape goat?
Susie L
5:37 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Hopefully Nohelty will be the next to go.
Mstea
6:36 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Scapegoats or partners in crime? It’s interesting that there are now philosophical differences when the “gang of four” so recently extended the administrator contracts, begging the question: How much will that irresponsible action end up costing the taxpayers?