McCann retiring from Shorewood School District

Shorewood - Officials are in the preliminary stages of seeking a successor to Superintendent Blane McCann, whose retirement was approved last week on a 4-1 vote by the School Board.

School Board President Paul Zovic said the district had sought proposals from eight recruitment firms across the country. He said Tuesday six of the eight firms offered bids; follow-up calls and reference checks are currently being conducted. A firm could be selected at the board's next regular meeting this coming week.

McCann's retirement, to take effect July 9, has been met with controversy as a group of community members allege several board members have created an environment that led to his retirement. But when his request was acted on last week, McCann maintained he simply is looking to pursue other opportunities in the educational arena.

Zovic said the board will not be doing the superintendent selection process in a vacuum. Once a recruitment firm is selected, and the number of candidates is whittled down to about three people, Zovic said community and staff members will have an opportunity to be an active part of the selection process through question-and-answer sessions.

"There will be a lot of involvement on the part of the community," Zovic said. "It will be a very open, engaging process. We want to hear from everyone and get a sense of what we want in our next superintendent."

Zovic said a firm timeline is not in place for McCann's replacement. Most of the recruitment firms said the search is a 12- to 20-week process.

"We're looking at it in a two-fold way," Zovic said. "Obviously, the sooner the better. We would like to have someone in place before Dr. McCann retires so there can be a bit of overlap and a time of transition. But we need to make sure the next superintendent is as great as the last superintendent (McCann). If we take a little longer, that's OK."

- Dave Fidlin

NEXT STEP

WHAT:The Shorewood School Board will discuss and could offer a contract to a recruitment firm in the search for the next superintendent.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Lake Bluff Elementary School, 1600 E. Lake Bluff Blvd.