Title
Resolution appointing Dr. Michael Karner to fill the unexpired term of Roycealee Wood as Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools.
Staff Summary
• As a result of Roycealee Wood’s resignation, a vacancy now exists in the Office of Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools.
• In accordance with state statute, when a vacancy occurs in the office of regional superintendent of schools, the County Board Chair shall fill the vacancy within 60 days with the advice and consent of the County Board.
• Dr. Michael Karner’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Spanish, a master’s in educational leadership, an education specialist degree in educational leadership, a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from George Williams College - Aurora University, and a superintendent endorsement from Concordia University Chicago, among a number of other accomplishments.
• Dr. Michael Karner has served in many roles during his career including coach, teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Roycealee Wood resigned as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools effective April 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, due to the resignation, a vacancy now exists in the Office of Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools; and
WHEREAS, according to Illinois Statute 105 ILCS 5/3A-6 (c), when a vacancy occurs in the office of regional superintendent of schools of any educational service region which is not located in a county which is a home rule unit, such vacancy shall be filled within 60 days by appointment of the chair of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, when such vacancy occurs in a single county educational service region; and
WHEREAS, any person who is appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of regional superintendent of schools must possess the qualifications required to be elected to the position of regional superintendent of schools, shall obtain a certificate of eligibility from the State Superintendent of Education and file same with the county clerk of the county in which the regional superintendent’s office is located, and the appointee shall be a member of the same political party as the regional superintendent of schools was at the time such regional superintendent of schools was elected; and
WHEREAS, County Board Chair Hart accepted applications through April 21, 2021 and, with an advisory group, conducted an interview with the top candidate; and
WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the County Board Chair to appoint Dr. Michael Karner to serve as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools to fill the unexpired term of Roycealee Wood effective immediately through July 30, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Karner meets the qualifications of Illinois Statute 105 ILCS 5/3-1 and possesses the following qualifications: (1) he is of good character, (2) he has a master’s degree, (3) he has earned at least 20 semester hours of credit in professional education at the graduate level, (4) he holds a valid all grade supervisory license, a valid state limited supervisory license, a valid state life supervisory license, or a valid administrative license, (5) he has at least 4 years experience in teaching, and (6) he was engaged for at least 2 years of the 4 previous years in full time teaching or supervising in the common public schools or serving as a county superintendent of schools or regional superintendent of schools for an educational service region in the State of Illinois.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Lake County Board that the appointment of Dr. Michael Karner as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools to fill the unexpired term of Roycealee Wood effective immediately through July 30, 2023, be, and the same is hereby confirmed.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on April 27, 2021.