Monday, February 27, 2012
New hire will be present for Board's vote.
The Lake Bluff School District 65 Board of Education will approve the hiring of its new superintendent at Tuesday night's (Feb. 28) board meeting at Lake Bluff Village Hall. The new superintendent will succeed John Asplund, who resigned in May to accept a similar position with Farmington Central District 265 in downstate Illinois. The Board hired Ben Martindale to serve as interim superintendent starting July 1. The board's approval will close a six-month process dating back to Aug. 17 when search firm interviews were first conducted. The new superintendent's three-year contract begins July 1 and pays $178,000 a year. The District will also pay for a term life insurance policy in the amount of $150,000; a $475 monthly vehicle allowance; …
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lake Forest superintendent tapped as honorary survivor for Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Relay for Life.
Harry Griffith took one look at his family history and figured if there were going to be health issues, it would be with his heart. His father suffered numerous heart attacks before succumbing to one. Up and down his family tree, the same is true for others. Two years ago, family history took on a whole new meaning. When Griffith found out he had prostate cancer in the spring of 2009, his younger brother Tom was hearing the same news. “Heart attacks have always been a part of my family,” said Griffith, who has five brothers and sisters. “I wasn’t aware of anyone in the family who had cancer. For my brother and I to get it at the same time was a shock.” Griffith, who serves as superintendent for both School Districts 115 and 67 in Lake …
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Former Gurnee schools chief Ben Martindale named to post.
Ben Martindale has been down this road before, and he likes what he sees. The former superintendent of Gurnee District 56 for nearly 20 years has been hired to serve as interim superintendent for Lake Bluff District 65 after the Board of Education vote Tuesday night. "I like the interim position," Martindale said. Martindale will begin July 1, replacing John Asplund, who tendered his resignation in late May to take a superintendent position with the Farmington Central District 265 in central Illinois. His last day with District 65 is June 30. Martindale spent last year serving as interim superintendent for North Chicago District 187. He also was superintendent of Round Lake District 116 for three years after leaving Gurnee. But he believes…
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Lake Bluff's Asplund resigns for Farmington job.
There really is no place like home. Just ask Lake Bluff School District 65 Superintendent John Asplund, who will return to his roots in July after accepting the same position with Farmington Central District 265 in central Illinois. The Farmington School Board voted 5-2 in favor of hiring Asplund last Friday night, according to an article in the Peoria Journal Star. His last day with District 65 will be June 30. His new position starts July 1. Asplund is about to finish his second year in Lake Bluff, and didn't foresee this chain of events happening. "You definitely have mixed emotions," Asplund said. "The key for me was the kids (Isaac, Eli and Clara) were excited." Asplund said he knew Farmington Superintendent Mark Doan, who spent seven…
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Last day will be June 30.
District 65 Superintendent John Asplund has tendered his resignation effective June 30 for a new position as superintendent of Farmington Central District 265 in downstate Illinois. Asplund has been with the school district for two years. In a release sent out by the District on Saturday, School Board President Mary Jane Brady wrote "efforts to find a replacement for Dr. Asplund will begin immediately." In the meantime, Brady wrote "the Board of Education will employ a highly qualified interim superintendent while we undertake the new superintendent search." For more, read the story in the Peoria Journal Star.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Maximum of 19 students for each section of full-day kindergarten recommended.
Lake Bluff School District 65 board members and the community will likely gain a look next month at guidelines for maximum class sizes at all grade levels. Superintendent John Asplund updated the board Tuesday night on the progress toward creating an action plan for the future when it comes to keeping class sizes at ideal levels. Asplund said he will recommend proposed class size ranges at the May 24 board meeting. The ranges will be set for kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grades and middle school. A number of parents approached the District 65 Board at its March meeting, expressing concern about kindergarten class sizes. One parent pointed out that the class sizes at the younger grades are lower in neighboring …
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Parents have expressed discontent with the selection process.
While a new Lake Bluff Elementary School principal could be introduced to the public at a school board meeting later this month, some parents have expressed concerns with the selection process. Lake Bluff Elementary District 65 Superintendent John Asplund said the hope is that the new principal, who will replace retiring Principal Katie Williams, will be announced at the April 26 board meeting. At the board’s last meeting on March 22, however, two parents spoke during public comment and said there has been a lack of communication and a feeling that they have not been listened to during the principal search process. “I just would like our voices to be heard,” parent Annie Atzeff said at the meeting. “We would like a collaborative effort, …
