Lonny Lemon is returning to Oak Grove District 68 as interim superintendent.
Jim McKay, former superintendent at Antioch Community High School District 117 was hired as a co-interim superintendent at Oak Grove District 68 in Green Oaks.
Green Oaks-based Oak Grove Elementary District 68 has turned the page on Superintendent Allison Sherman and the search for a full-time replacement is underway.
In the interim, two veteran Lake County educators will lead the K-8 district for the upcoming school year.
Jim McKay served 22 years at Antioch Community High School District 117, the last 12 as superintendent before retiring two years ago. Lonny Lemon’s retirement in 2020 after eight years as District 68 superintendent created the opening filled by Sherman.
McKay and Lemon were contacted by District 68 to serve as interim superintendents and will share duties in the 2024-25 school year.
The board officially cleared the slate Tuesday by hiring McKay and Lemon; approving a separation agreement with Sherman; and, selecting a search firm to find her replacement.
McKay said communication with teachers and the community is important going forward.
“Stability and consistency rules the day,” he said. “You want to calm any fears people may have.”
McKay started July 1. He retired from District 117 two years ago and was interim superintendent this past school year at Zion Elementary District 6, helping negotiate a teachers contract and hire a new superintendent.
While at Oak Grove, Lemon oversaw a yearslong campus renovation project. Prior commitments will keep him from starting until Aug. 1 but in a recent letter to parents, Lemon said he is all in.
“When the (school) board offered me the chance to come out of retirement for the 2024-25 school year, there was no way I could turn them down,” he told parents. “As I have often said, working at Oak Grove for eight years was the best job of my 37-year career.”
McKay and Lemon will be paid $1,500 per day when they are working. The schedule is to be determined.
No specific reason was given for Sherman’s departure but a separation agreement has been in the works for several weeks. Her contract was renewed in 2022 for four years.
The board on May 23 sent a lengthy message to staff and families to clarify misinformation in the community and about Sherman, other administrators and the strategic planning process.
A review found no wrongdoing, cause for administrative leave or ethics violations by Sherman or school staff. She joined District 68 as an associate superintendent in late February 2020 and faced an immediate test with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Both parties characterize her departure as amicable and collaborative. Sherman will be paid $282,316.
“Our work together resulted in significant growth in student achievement over the last four years and recognition from respected state and national institutions,” she said Wednesday in an email.
The board Tuesday hired the Illinois Association of School Boards from among three firms at a base price of $7,400 to lead the search.