School Board Applauds David Larson, Some Residents Disappointed by Short Tenure

Birmingham school board members had only good things to say about outgoing Superintendent David Larson at their regular meeting Tuesday night.

During the meeting, Larson — who accepted the superintendent position with the Glenbard Township High School District 87 in the Chicago-area on Monday — announced his resignation effective July 1.

Larson has been with since 2008. The Glenbard district is Illinois' third-largest school district and encompasses 45 miles in DuPage County, 30 miles west of Chicago.

"We have had a great relationship with Dr. Larson," school board President Susan Hill said Tuesday night. "We very much appreciate the leadership you have given the district in your tenure."

Trustee Rob Lawrence agreed. "Some of the things that will mark your time here is the strength of your administration," he said.

Larson's contract ends in July 2013, meaning he had to give the school board six months' notice before resigning. Larson was named a finalist in the Glenbard superintendent search in December 2011 (though the finalists were not identified). Hill said Larson notified the board he was interviewing out of state in January.

Residents express mixed feelings about Larson leaving

Several Birmingham Patch readers were disappointed about the relatively short time Larson has spent with Birmingham Public Schools.

"I would never begrudge someone the opportunity to make more money and advance elsewhere, but when one leaves after four years, I wonder about the footprint left," Wes Borucki commented. "Birmingham will always be home in my heart, and for the good of the schools that made me what I am, I hope they find someone with a passionate long-term commitment."

Erik Morgonroth agreed. When asked on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page what the district should look for in a new superintendent, he answered only "Commitment."

Greg Thrasher noted Larson is a "classical corporate bureaucrat in a position that required much more out of a leader who operate a community's school system."

"I don't think he leaves any significant footprints nor has his body of work created a series of best practices that other school districts would model," Thrasher said.

Charles Wickens, however, had better things to say about Larson's performance.

"He's done a great job and will be missed," he said. "However, the incumbent has a wonderful system to run, and I am confident that the standard of excellence shall continue."

Search process begins next week

Parents and residents who want to talk with Larson can visit with him during the scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Bloomfield Township Starbucks at the corner of Maple and Lahser.

Residents are also invited to attend a special meeting of the Birmingham Board of Education at 5:30 p.m. March 27 at the . The school board will interview search firms to kick off the search for Larson's replacement.

Hill said the Birmingham community will be involved at several levels of the search process, including interviews, community gatherings and question-and-answer sessions.

"Community involvement is critical to the success of this process," she said, noting the district has plans to publish a timeline of the search process, as well as a line-up of activities, in the next few weeks, probably after spring break.