At a 7:00 meeting in the Lehotsky Room, the RB school board introduced the school’s new superintendent:  Dr. Kevin Skinkis.

Dr. Skinkis currently serves as the principal for Bartlett High School in Elgin’s district U-46.  He will take over the superintendent’s position at RB on July 1, replacing Dr. David Bonnette, who has served the school as a part-time interim superintendent for the previous two years.  His contract will last for three years with an initial salary of $175,000.

Before serving as Bartlett High School’s principal, Skinkis spent time as an assistant principal for Mundelein High School, a dean of students at Morton High School, and a social studies teacher at Morton.

Educationally, Skinkis holds an Ed.D from National Louis University, an MA from Benedictine, and an undergraduate degree in social studies from Southern Illinois University.  He also holds a Chief School Business Official certificate through Governors State.

According to School Board President James Marciniak, Skinkis was the board’s unanimous choice due to his credentials and interviews.

Skinkis’ appointment comes at the end of an extended, confidential candidate search.  The board was aided by the search company of Hazard, Young, Attea and associates (HYA).  The original candidate field included 58 candidates, which was narrowed to five finalists who were interviewed by the board.  The field was then narrowed to two candidates for second interviews.

Originally, the school board considered replacing Bonnette last year and retained the services of HYA to begin a search process.  However, HYA recommended that the school retain Bonnette’s services for another year, and instead move to fill a full-time principal position, which was, at the time, being held by interim Principal Tim Scanlon.  Scanlon was replaced by Principal Pam Bylsma, and Scanlon returned to his previous role of Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction.