The District 161 school board is expected to immediately open its search for superintendent, but board members agreed there may be the possibility of an interim superintendent appointed for the 2026-27 school year if a suitable candidate is not found by June.

The school board heard proposals from four firms interested in helping the board find the next superintendent to replace Dana Smith, who announced at the Feb. 10 board meeting he’s leaving the district after nine years.

After two hours of presentations at the school board meeting Monday, Feb. 23, the board members narrowed the field to two, and then voted 4-3 to hire School Exec Connect. Board members gave themselves until Thursday, Feb. 26, to change their votes.

If the board vote stands, School Exec Connect will officially be hired at the board’s March 9 meeting. The firm’s fee is $21,800, which includes expenses.

School Exec Connect recently helped Homewood District 153 find its next superintendent. It also is conducting searches to fill positions in South Holland and Country Club Hills.

Because the district is on a tight schedule, School Exec Connect consultant Brian Barnhart said the firm will work with the board to develop its superintendent’s profile and will use that to reach out to its consultants who will help find the best person for District 161. 

The search should come up with 18 to 22 names. Those will be narrowed to five or six candidates the board will consider interviewing. If the school board doesn’t appoint a new superintendent by the end of this school year, School Exec Connect will help find an interim superintendent.

The firm will be conducting focus groups with staff, administrators and parent groups and host two community forums to learn what attributes the stakeholders and community want in a superintendent.

School Exec Connect’s Barnhart and Kevin O’Mara both said a search can be conducted now, but the district is likely to have a bigger and more robust candidate pool if the search is conducted in the fall.

“We’ll make whatever you want happen,” O’Mara said. The firm doesn’t keep a database of candidates. Each search is unique and School Exec Connect relies on its more than five dozen consultants who help find candidates.

Board member Cameron Nelson told the consultants, “We’re looking for a superstar candidate,” and board member Michael Rouse said the candidate must match “the vision for the district. We have specific and aggressive goals.”