Lake Forest hires new schools superintendent

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:05AM

Michael Simeck has been selected as the new superintendent of Lake Forest School District 67 and 115, the combined district office announced Tuesday.

Simeck will begin his new post July 1 as head of both the elementary and high school districts. He currently holds a similar position as superintendent of schools for the Berkley K-12 School District in Oak Park, Mich.

Simeck will replace current Superintendent Harry Griffith, who announced his retirement in July 2010.

Simeck is stepping into a school district still embroiled in the sexting scandal that drew parental outcry and national media coverage involving former Deer Path Middle School Principal John Steinert, who resigned in November.

The hiring follows a two-year search by the district that included community surveys during which 100 individuals applied for the position of combined schools superintendent in Lake Forest. The Boards of Education of both school districts interviewed the final six candidates and whittled down the field to four finalists who were presented to staff and community representatives.

The community will have its first opportunity to meet with Simeck in the spring. Details of that reception have not been finalized.

Before he joined the Berkley K-12 district, Simeck was superintendent of schools in Dansville, Mich. from 2003-2007.

Simeck currently is completing his Ph.D. in educational administration at Michigan State University. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University.

In a press release issued Tuesday announcing the decision, Lake Forest High School Board of Education President Sharon Golan commented on the collaborative selection process the districts undertook to replace Griffith.

“During an extensive interview process, involving over 50 staff, parents and community members, we were able to identify a new superintendent who reflects important characteristics defined by all,” Golan said.

Elementary School District 67 School Board President Julia Wold said in the release she is pleased with Simeck’s background as “an experienced leader who will serve within the current shared-services model.”

Simeck and his wife, Mari, have three children: Gabrielle, a high school sophomore; Max, 8th grade; and Lilia, 4th grade.