A new superintendent will guide Antioch Community High School District 117 when 2022 classes resume this fall.
Jim McKay, who oversaw student growth and a recent book controversy, announced his retirement effective June 30.
McKay has served the district for more than two decades including teaching science classes, and a 12-year tenure as district superintendent.
The Board of Education selected Jeff Feucht to replace him from a nationwide applicant pool. They finalized contract negotiations during a special meeting in late April. Feucht is currently the superintendent of Lake Park High School District 108 in Roselle.
– Original Credit: News-Sun
McKay had overseen population growth and an expanded curriculum within the district, which is comprised of Antioch and Lakes community high schools. During his career, he believes one of the major accomplishments was making the district a central part of the community.
“I really feel like the schools are an important part of the community through our consistent academic achievement and improvement,” he said. “It’s an organization that can be relied on. There is good support from the community. The number of kids and the number of opportunities is equally important to a continuing education.
“As a former science teacher, the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum is a district accomplishment in steering a large percentage of students into pursuing science for a secondary subject,” McKay said. “Regarding social and emotional wellness, we increased staffing to address issues, being responsive to the needs of our kids and the community.”
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Earlier this year, McKay and the district’s board were embroiled in a controversy over a graphic novel, “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” an autobiography deemed unacceptable for young adults by critics.
After several months of divisive debates initiated by parent groups, the book was returned to both schools’ library shelves. McKay said discussions on appropriate materials should be between parents and students.
In a statement, Feucht said, “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of such an exceptional leader … and excited to get to better know the communities that District 117 serves, so I can hit the ground running on July 1. I will work hard to preserve the tradition of excellence (and) continuous improvement to meet the needs of all our graduates.”
For McKay, the future is open. “Retirement is not knowing. It’s fun not to have any plans. I’m not sure what type of fish I’ll be going for either.”