Outside consultant to aid superintendent search in District 87

Posted on March 5, 2021
Dr. Reilly is retiring in June 2022 after more than three decades with the Bloomington district, the past 11 years as superintendent. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – An outside search firm will help the District 87 School Board find its next superintendent at a cost of almost $21,000.

The board, meeting in special session earlier this week, chose Ray and Associates Inc. to come up with candidates to replace Dr. Barry Reilly.

The district has yet to formally approve a contract with the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based search firm, which is expected to charge the district approximately $20,700, plus expenses.

On its website, Ray and Associates said, “We recruit traditional and non-traditional candidates for public schools, private schools and higher education institutions/organizations.”

“During these challenging times we articulate our organizational commitment to identifying and acting upon the changes that are needed to bring about inclusion, recognize the need for equity, and eliminate institutional racism,” the company’s website also said.

The school board interviewed five search firms, including Ray and Associates, during a special meeting February 13.

Dr. Reilly is retiring in June 2022 after more than three decades with the Bloomington district, the past 11 years as superintendent. Reilly is also a former Bloomington High School principal.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…