Dist. 124 Wants New Middle School Principal In Place By July

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Dist. 124 is in the hunt for a new principal of Central Middle School after the board voted to withdraw a previous offer it had made to another candidate when troubling allegations about his past came to light. Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak told board members during Wednesday's meeting that he wanted to have a candidate for their approval next month.

“We posted the position the Friday [after the special meeting] and received a number of applications,” Machak said. “We’ve scheduled interviews.”

Machak touched briefly on the search process, including taking up a parent’s suggestion to hold a community forum with the final candidates that would allow more community stakeholders to have a role in the board’s decision-making process. The process is a often used by local school councils for Chicago Public Schools.

“It’s an approach I have not heard of before,” Machak said.

The district has posted the opening for the middle school principal’s position on its website. Candidates have until June 29 to apply. Machak wants the board to vote on his recommendation for a new middle school principal on July 18.

“Which gives a month to conduct the search,” the superintendent said.

D124 board discuss vetting of middle school principal candidates