Journal & Topics Media Group

Hertel Named Dist. 62 Superintendent Through 2020


Dr. Paul Hertel, Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62 Supt.

Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62 put its search for a new superintendent on hold until the 2019-2020 school year, now that Paul Hertel has been named the district’s permanent superintendent.

Following the resignation of former Supt. Floyd Williams last November, Hertel served as interim head of the 12-school district. Board of Education members unanimously approved making Hertel the official superintendent through the end of his contract June 30, 2020.

“The Board of Education appreciates Dr. Hertel’s continued focus on doing what is best for staff and students as he supported the district this fall during a time of transition,” said Dist. 62 Board of Education President Stephanie Duckmann.

With the new title, Hertel will receive a $500 monthly vehicle stipend retroactive to November of last year and will remain under his existing contract. As of this year, his salary is approximately $207,185. The contract includes cumulative increases up to 6 percent each year.

Hertel, a graduate of Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University, was hired by the district in 2006. He has served as director of Human Resources and associate superintendent. Prior to Dist. 62, Hertel worked at School Dist. U-46 in Elgin for 19 years. He lives in Geneva with his wife and has three children.

In May, Iroquois Community School Principal Michael Amadei was appointed to a role similar to Hertel’s before he became interim superintendent.

“I have always been thankful to the board of education and have appreciated the opportunity to support the school district during this time,” said Hertel. “I will continue to do what is best for children and what is best for the district in the years to come.”

Education consultants Hazard Young, Attea & Associates conducted the 2016 search to find Williams out of 44 candidates, including Hertel. Allegations of inappropriate conduct ultimately led to Williams’ resignation from Dist. 62 last year and a previous resignation from Kenosha Unified School District in Wisconsin. Williams has denied allegations from both districts and said media coverage of the resignation negatively impacted his career.

It has yet to be decided whether Dist. 62 will eventually hire a search firm to find Hertel’s replacement.

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