D161 Board Hires New Assistant Superintendent

After another meeting filled with shouting and contentious arguments, Board President Mary Kenny greeted new Assistant Superintendent Jim Martin with these words:

"Mr. Martin, I hope you understand what you're getting yourself into."

The board approved the hiring of Martin with a 5-2 vote at Friday's meeting, which was a continuance from .

Board members Dee Molinare and Sean William Doyle voted against the hiring, objecting to the creation of this position and not the actual candidate. 

With the summer resignation of curriculum director Dawn Schiro, the assistant superintendent position was added to give support to Interim Superintendent Barb Rains. At the Sept. 13 special meeting that created the spot, Doyle said he thought the $123,000 salary, which includes benefits, was "too much for my blood." He suggested then that if a position was needed, the board should fill the vacated curriculum director role instead of creating a new one.

Martin, who lives in Frankfort, will start later this month as assistant superintendent. He is leaving Liberty Junior High School in Burbank where he was in his fourth year at principal. He also has been an assitant principal at Central Middle School in Tinley and .