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| Donna Simpson-Leak |
By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | Community Consolidated School District #168 has been searching for a new Superintendent of School since Al Travaglini announced his retirement last year and apparently the search maybe over. There were numerous applicants and 2 finalists.
The Board members are apparently split in their decision over a controversial candidate Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak the former Superintendent of Schools for Rich Township School District 227. The Rich Township school board fired Simpson-Leak in June, 2013 by a 4-3 vote citing "gross improprieties in the process of student expulsions" and allegedly locking a school board member out of a meeting, according to a published newspaper report. Leak is suing the Rich Township district for alleged civil conspiracy, breach of contract and infliction of emotional distress, seeking $800,000 in damages.
According to Cook County Circuit Court records, Simpson-Leak had hired in her suit against Rich Township the same legal team as the former temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox had that sued Sauk Village, Ancel Glink Diamond Murphy & Cope, a powerhouse law firm in the State of Illinois. The firm has, however, since withdrawn from the case as of April 8th of this year according to court documents.
Sauk Village was the center of controversy statewide and in the news media when the former criminal Superintendent of School Thomas Ryan ripped the district off of cash while he ran the district like a dictator with a puppet School Board. Ryan pled guilty and served time in prison for what prosecutors said was "stealing kids milk money".
Simpson-Leak, of Flossmoor, was a finalist for the Superintendent position for Kankakee School District 111 in January of this year, however, she lost out to another candidate for the position. Simpson-Leak lost out most recently for a position in Crete Monee School District to an out of state candidate.
Village residents may remember when the Sauk Village Board took a chance on a “controversial” hiring pick, Henrietta Turner, for Village Manager in 2011. Turner was suing her former employer, Country Club Hills following her dismissal and ended up suing the Village of Sauk Village as well.
“I do not have and cannot comment at this time” Sharon Davenport, Board President said. “The board will take formal action on the matter Monday, April 28th at the meeting at 6pm” Davenport said.
Attempts to reach School Board Member Mary Howard for comment were unsuccessful. School Board Vice President Tammy Jones could not comment beyond saying "please come to the board meeting on Monday night that is when action would be taken" Jones said. Board Member Deloris Green had no comment on the matter. Calls to Board Secretary Melvin Stevenson not returned at the time of publication.
Retiring Superintendent of Schools Al Travaglini echoed Davenport. “At the Board’s request, I was instructed not to comment on any questions regarding the selection of the next Superintendent of Schools. The Board will announce their selection April 28th, which is a regular meeting” Travaglini said.
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