District 304 Superintendent Search Narrowed Down To 2 Candidates

GENEVA, IL — The search for a new superintendent to helm Geneva School District 304 has been narrowed down to two candidates, officials said.

Kent Mutchler, District 304's superintendent since 2006, will leave the district when his contract expires in June, Patch reported.

Ray & Associates' search for a new superintendent started with 38 candidates, and it's been narrowed down to two: Andrew J. Barrett, who currently serves as assistant superintendent for learning and teaching at District 304, and Elizabeth Freeman, now the chief academic officer at Algonquin School District 300.

The Board of Education will meet in executive session Wednesday to deliberate and name a new superintendent. Officials said a decision is expected by Jan. 31, and the new administrator will begin their role July 1.

Ahead of the meeting, community members and District 304 staff, teachers and administrators were invited to meet Barrett and Freeman Tuesday night. Two Community Stakeholder Forums took place simultaneously from 4-5:45 p.m. at Geneva Middle School North, 1357 Viking Drive, and Geneva Middle School South, 1415 Viking Drive.

Students, parents and community members attended the session at Geneva Middle School North, and administrators and staff were asked to attend at Geneva Middle School South.

Each candidate was interviewed individually — one at each school — from 4-4:45 p.m. before switching schools for a second interview at 5 p.m. Attendees were then given the opportunity to take a survey providing feedback to the Board.

A live stream option was available on the district's website for those who couldn't attend the in-person session.

Here's a look at each candidate's background.

Andrew Barrett

• Current job: Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching at Geneva School District 304
• Previous experience: Before being assistant superintendent, Barrett served as both the director of learning and teaching and principal of Mill Creek Elementary School. Prior to District 304, worked as an elementary teacher and a middle school administrator at West Aurora School District 129.
• Education: Bachelor's in elementary education from Monmouth College, master's in educational administration and leadership from Aurora University, and a doctorate in educational policy, organization and leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• Personal interests: Being a "baseball dad," playing guitar, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Freeman

• Current job: Chief Academic Officer at Algonquin School District 300
• Previous experience: Freeman has served in public education for 28 years, with 11 years as a middle and high school teacher and 17 years as an administrator. Her experience includes being a high school curriculum director, director of professional development and PreK-8 assistant superintendent. She is also a published author and serves as a CODiE judge for innovative educational technology software and services.
• Education: Bachelor's in French from Northern Illinois University, master's in curriculum and instruction interdisciplinary studies from National Louis University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University Chicago.
• Personal interests: Hiking with her two Boxers, gardening, wakeboarding and equestrian sports. She loves traveling to see new sights, to have new experiences and for the memories it creates, district officials said.