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May 22, 2023

Current Associate Superintendent Jessica Lombard was approved as the interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year.
Photo provided.
Current Associate Superintendent Jessica Lombard was approved as the interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year.

Features, News • May 22, 2023

New interim superintendent for D158 is highly praised as she prepares for her new role in the district

By

HUNTLEY — At the May 18 Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Associate Superintendent Jessica Lombard was approved to serve as the interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year via a unanimous vote by the board.

According to D158 Director of Communications and Public Relations Alex LeMoine, Lombard volunteered to fill the role after current D158 Superintendent Dr. Scott Rowe announced that he had accepted the position of superintendent in the Arlington Heights-based Northwest High School District 214.

Lombard’s role as interim superintendent will become effective starting July 1.

“We cannot think of a more qualified candidate to guide us through this transition within Huntley 158,” said BOE President Andy Bittman in a press release statement. “As a graduate of Huntley schools, Ms. Lombard remains deeply connected to the Huntley area community and its residents. Her vast experience in many facets of public education, her understanding of what makes this district successful, and her clear passion for the students of our community are truly an asset to our district and will ensure we are well-equipped to navigate this period of transition.”

At the May 18 BOE meeting, Rowe stated that Lombard had agreed to a five-year contract where she is expected to “finish her career” as the associate superintendent of D158.

Rowe added that the contract also included language which offers Lombard a stipend that provides her with the authority and proper compensation package for her to serve as the interim superintendent for the next school year while the BOE works to find a permanent replacement.

Lombard has been an educational leader in the district for most of her life, stated LeMoine in a press release. After growing up in Huntley and graduating from Huntley High School, Lombard went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Education from Northern Illinois University (NIU).

In addition, Lombard also obtained a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Education Leadership from NIU as well as received her education specialist degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.

“Just a comment of confidence and support in Jessica,” Rowe said at the meeting. “She’s fantastic. [I] enjoyed working with her so much and I am very happy to present this to the board.”

Lombard began her career at D158 back in 2002, where she worked as an assistant principal at Leggee Elementary (13723 Harmony Road, Huntley).

She has served the district in multiple capacities since then, including building principal at both Mackeben Elementary (800 Academic Drive, Algonquin) and Leggee Elementary, director of curriculum, assistant superintendent of human resources, assistant superintendent of both elementary learning and special education, and has served as the district’s associate superintendent since 2018.

Lombard will continue to work closely with Rowe over the coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition.

In the meantime, the BOE will engage in a national superintendent search to work towards the appointment of a permanent superintendent and will continue to keep staff, families, and communities informed of this process as it begins to take shape over the coming months, stated LeMoine.

“We are confident Ms. Lombard will continue to carry out the mission and goals of our school district with skill and compassion,” said Bittman. “The Board would also like to thank our community for their support of Ms. Lombard in this endeavor. We look forward to continuing to serve all of our students at the highest level.”

At the BOE meeting, Bittman further added, “I think Jessica is the first administrator I ever met in this district when we moved here and I’ve had many conversations with her, and each time I talk with her, I like her more and I really appreciate the strong ties to Huntley. I think that’s very important to have in this community. She’s a lifelong Huntley person and it’s outstanding to have her to pick up and pick after Dr. Rowe at this time.”

The selection of Rowe as District 214’s new superintendent by their BOE caps a five-month search that was coordinated by the consulting firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates and was additionally guided by community input in the form of more than 2,500 completed surveys and several focus groups composed of key community stakeholders, including parents, students, and staff.

“Our extensive community input shaped our selection process and criteria,” said D214 BOE President Bill Dussling. “We are confident that we have found, in Dr. Rowe, a superbly qualified individual who fits the leadership profile created by our community and will work effectively with all key stakeholders to build our success as a national leader in education.”

Rowe will succeed longtime D214 Superintendent Dr. David Schuler, who after 20 years of serving the district, left in February for a new role as executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.