La Grange-Area Superintendent Retiring Next Year

LA GRANGE, IL – The superintendent of La Grange School District 102 plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Kyle Schumacher made the announcement at a school board meeting late last month. He has been at the helm since 2015.

A few days afterward, school board President Mike Melendez said in a public statement that he was saddened about Schumacher's departure.

"He has been a steadfast leader since he arrived eight years ago," Melendez said. "Kyle’s confidence in the district’s ability to weather any storm has never wavered and he has been instrumental in leading us through the worst of the pandemic. He has also demonstrated a tremendous amount of grace under pressure."

Melendez said the board planned to hire a search firm to help find a new superintendent. The board hoped to finish the search over the winter, he said.

Before La Grange, Schumacher was the superintendent of the school district in Telluride, Colorado, from 2011 to 2015, according to his LinkedIn page. He was the assistant superintendent of Lake Forest School District 67 from 1995 to 2011.

Schumacher did not return a message for comment earlier this week.

At this week's La Grange Village Board meeting, Trustee Beth Augustine noted Schumacher's retirement. She said the village had built a good relationship with him, particularly on downtown parking issues.

The district serves nearly 3,000 students.