On January 9, 2013, the District 109 Board of Education announced the selection of Michael Lubelfeld, EdD, as the District’s new superintendent. Dr. Lubelfeld will take the reins on July 1, 2013, after the retirement of Dr. Renee Goier at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. The Board will take action on the contract at the Monday, January 14, 2013 Board of Education meeting at 7:00pm at the District Center. Dr. Lubelfeld has broad educational experience, as a teacher, administrator and an educator of educators. He has been superintendent of Pennoyer School District 79, an elementary district in Norridge, Illinois, since 2010. Before his superintendency at Pennoyer, he oversaw all staffing operations as assistant superintendent for personnel services for North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park, where he also previously served as principal and associate principal of Elm Place Middle School. Dr. Lubelfeld began his educational career as an elementary and middle school teacher. He also has served as adjunct faculty at National-Louis University and Argosy University Chicago.
Dr. Lubelfeld is a Deerfield resident and District 109 parent. “I know firsthand as an education professional and as a parent that District 109 is truly exceptional. Students in our schools thrive because they are afforded extraordinary educational experiences from outstanding administrators, teachers and staff,” he says. “I’m honored and excited to be the next superintendent of District 109.”
Board President Ellen London says that Michael Lubelfeld emerged from a very thorough search process as the right candidate to lead the District. “The Board is certain in our choice of Dr. Lubelfeld, and confident that under his leadership District 109 will continue to be recognized as among the best in the Chicago area – and in the nation,” says London.
She explained that the extensive community input, including the involvement of a committee of stakeholders was a key factor in the success of the superintendent search (the search process isoutlined on the District 109 website). The committee included teachers and administrators, parents who hold volunteer leadership positions in the District, and the Caucus-endorsed Board candidates for the upcoming election. “The input from the community as a whole, and the committee in particular, was invaluable in this very thorough process,” expressed London. “The committee’s hard and very thoughtful work allowed our District to find the superintendent with the right combination of educational and leadership experience, knowledgeof our community, and strong character.”
Search firm Hazard,Young, Attea & Associates reviewed more than 60 applications, narrowing down the field to six candidates for interviews with the Board of Education. The Board selected three finalists, who were interviewed again by the Board and the community committee.
For the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year, Dr. Lubelfeld will continue to focus on the work required in his current position at Pennoyer, though he will be involved in some transition planning with Dr. Goier and other District staff members beforeJ uly 1. The District will schedule meet-and-greet events for the community tomeet the new superintendent in the spring and after he begins work at District109 in July.