Schools

Minooka Board Votes to Terminate Superintendent

James Colyott will work in a limited role until Aug. 25.

The Minooka High School District 111 board unanimously voted to give Superintendent James Colyott a 90-day termination notice during a special meeting on Friday.

Teacher's union president Dennis Grosskopf told the Herald-News the 7-0 vote brought relief to staff, who feared for their jobs under Colyott. During public comment, Grosskoft spoke of bullying, intimidation and emotional abuse under Colyott's leadership.

Following the meeting, a statement from board president Mike Brozovich was posted to the District 111 website.

“The superintendent’s primary role is to implement board policy and guide the district toward its goals,” Brozovich said. “In order to successfully carry out this role, the superintendent must have the support and confidence of the staff and of the board.”

“Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons,” Brozovich continued, “these conditions do not exist in District #111 at the level needed for Mr. Colyott to successfully continue in the role of superintendent. Rather than spend the final year of Mr. Colyott’s contract continuing to try to restore the necessary confidence and support, the Board believes that it is time to conclude Mr. Colyott’s employment and begin the search for a new superintendent.”

Brozovich said the board wished Colyott good luck in his future endeavors.

Colyott, who was hired in 2011, will remain employed by Minooka Community High School District until Aug. 25, "but his role will be limited primarily to assisting in the transition to an interim superintendent," the district said in a statement.

In the meantime, the board will work with a yet-to-be-identified search firm to find an interim superintendent while it searches for a permanent replacement.

In a statement sent to the Herald-News, Colyott said he respected the board's decision, adding, "I very much appreciate the opportunity [that] Minooka Community has provided to my family and I, and I am incredibly proud of all that the MCHS students, staff and I have accomplished together these past three years."


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