Experience key factor in superintendent pick
Former Beloit school chief to hired to lead Whitnall
Greenfield — The former Beloit superintendent has been hired as the new head of the Whitnall School District.
The School Board on Monday night appointed Lowell Holtz to begin serving as superintendent on July 1. He will replace Karen Petric, who is retiring after 10 years with the district.
Holtz's appointment was unanimous. The other finalist was Grafton High School Principal Ken McCormick.
Up to the challenge ahead
With the district facing major financial challenges for the foreseeable future, Holtz's experience in putting together budgets was a major factor in his selection, board President Bill Osterndorf said.
Holtz also has served as superintendent at Palmyra-Eagle and last year was a candidate for state superintendent of schools. He now works as an assistant systems director for a schools consortium in the Rockford, Ill., area.
"We all know budgets are going to be very tight for a number of years," Osterndorf said. "The fact we could bring in somebody who has direct experience with building budgets … was really key."
Building relationships
School officials also said he has success in making connections not only with people working in the schools, but with groups throughout the community.
"We expect he will be very involved in the community," Ostendorf said. "He has a track record of building those relationships with people, and when we talked to the folks in Beloit, that's one of things they specifically talked about."
Holtz could not be reached for comment but made many of his views known during a community forum held in January.
In his presentation and in responses to audience members' questions, he stressed the importance of communication among staff members and also between the school district and the community.
He also touted his three years as head of the Beloit School District, noting that the district had seen an increase in the number of students taking ACT exams, improved its graduation rates and closed achievement gaps between white and minority students.
He said he looked forward to getting back into the ranks of superintendent.
"My goal in life has always been to be superintendent and hands-on with the kids, with the teachers, with the parents," he said, "and working to provide the best education possible for kids."
Split vote on contract
Board members approved Holtz's contract on a 5-2 vote, with members Bernard Shaw and Nancy Zaborowski opposing it because they were concerned about the financial terms of the contract.
Holtz will make $152,000 annually, which is lower than Petric's $164,700 salary. Holtz's salary was determined in light of bad financial conditions locally and at the state level, Osterndorf said.
"We're just trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can while trying to find a candidate who can move the district forward," he said.
The board had been searching searched for Petric's replacement since she announced her retirement in August.
E-mail Newsletter
Your link to the biggest stories in the suburbs delivered Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
More from News and Features
- Police Notes: Jan. 31
- News & Notes: Jan. 31
- The little prairie by the schoolhouse (1)
- Franklin School Board candidates discuss age-old facility topic (23)
- Police Report: Jan. 31
- Community Calendar
- Joint meeting will focus on Delphi and civic center redevelopment (2)
- News & Notes: Jan. 24
- Police Report: Jan. 24
- Police Notes: Jan. 24
0 COMMENTS