Joliet HS Superintendent Lasts 6 Months On Job

JOLIET, IL — In what will be a costly public relations disaster for Joliet Township High School District 204, the school board is breaking its three-year contract with Superintendent Cheryl McCarthy's replacement after only six months of employment in Joliet. The district put Mike Hanson on paid administrative suspension from work back on Jan. 27.

Hanson had spent his entire education career in the state of South Dakota prior to his arrival in Joliet last summer. He had no ties and no familiarity with the Joliet schools when the school board picked him. In August, Joliet Patch's Editor interviewed Hanson at the school administrative offices on Caterpillar Drive. He said he had just finished his 25th year in education.

In addition to Hanson's regular salary of $210,000, District 204's School Board had agreed to make an annual contribution of $11,500 as a 403(b) annuity for Hanson "no later than July 15 of each contract year," Patch previously reported.

The school board also agreed to reimburse Hanson up to $10,000 for relocating from South Dakota to the Joliet area.

"I felt now was the time for more challenges," he said, adding that his youngest of his three children is involved with dance and the Joliet area "has so many opportunities for her here."

Prior to taking the job, Hanson said, he had also met several Will County and suburban Chicago superintendents over the years and "they all talked highly of Joliet."

Now, the District 204 school board will vote to approve a buyout for Hanson at next Tuesday night's special school board meeting.

"Dr. Hanson will be taking leave for the remainder of the school year and Assistant Superintendent Karla Guseman ... will perform the Superintendent's responsibilities for the remainder of the school year."

The school board is expected to approve a substantial pay increase for Guseman at Tuesday's board meeting and vote to give her a multi-year contract to take over as the permanent superintendent on July 1.

"The Board ... would like to note that this decision is not a result of fault or misconduct , but rather due to differences in philosophical direction and approach, and the Board wishes Dr. Hanson the best in his future endeavors," a press release written by school communications director Kristine Schlismann states.

For details of Hanson's salary and fringe benefits package, read this Joliet Patch public spending article from Aug. 21.