LEADING IN TRANSITION

Two retired superintendents will share the duties of BSD2 Superintendent of Schools for the 2021-2022 school year. 

During its June 16, 2021, Special Meeting, the District 2 Board of Education voted unanimously to offer 120-day contracts to Dr. Raymond Lechner and Dr. Rebecca Nelson.  They will serve as co-superintendents.

Dr. Lechner is a retired superintendent who most recently served as the full-time superintendent at Wilmette Elementary District 39. Dr. Nelson is a retired superintendent who most recently served in the PK-12 setting as the superintendent of Skokie School District 69.

They will replace Dr. James Stelter, who will retire June 30 after serving 11 years as the District’s superintendent. 

The President of the Board of Education, Dr. Christopher McCullough, shared the following:

“I would like to thank Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates, and specifically Dr. Max McGee and Dr. John Purdue, for their important and meaningful contributions to our search process. Dr. McGee and Dr. Purdue provided a rich array of candidates for the members of the BOE to engage in interviews. We are grateful for their work and for all of the candidates who expressed interest in serving our school district. We look forward to the contributions that Dr. Lechner and Dr. Nelson will make to our community as they bring their knowledge and experiences to benefit our schools.”    

The BSD2 Board will work with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to name a permanent superintendent and craft the District’s new strategic plan during the 2021-2022 school year. Stay tuned for details of those respective processes.

DR. LECHNER

Dr. Lechner served as District 39’s superintendent for 12 years before retiring in 2019. For the past two years, he has held interim superintendent posts in DeKalb Community School District 428 and Center Cass School District 66.

He began his career in education as a school psychologist, serving in Proviso, Berkeley, and Orland Park. He then went on to serve as Assistant Director of Student Services and Director of Special Education for Orland School District 135. He joined District 39 in 1999, serving eight years as its Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services before becoming Superintendent in 2007.

Dr. Lechner holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University, a Master of Arts Degree in School Psychology from Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University.

“I am extremely excited to be part of Bensenville School District 2,” said Dr. Lechner. “I am looking forward to meeting everyone and learning how I can best support the needs of the entire community, especially our children. Please feel free to reach out as my door is always open.”

DR. NELSON

Dr. Nelson served as District 69’s superintendent for four years before retiring in 2008. She is currently an Associate Professor and Dean at North Park University’s School of Education. 

She began her career in Prairie-Hills School District 144 in Markham, serving eight years as a grade school teacher before becoming a curriculum specialist and administrative assistant to the superintendent. She was then named Markham Park School’s Principal, and served in that post for 10 years before moving on to serve for eight years as the Principal at Greenbriar School in Northbrook. She joined District 69 in 2000 and served as Assistant Superintendent for four years before becoming Superintendent. 

Dr. Nelson holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago, a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from North Park University. 

“It is an honor and privilege to join the Bensenville School District 2 community,” said Dr Nelson. “I will be a visible presence in our schools, so please feel free to introduce yourself and say hi. I look forward to meeting you and to serving our teachers, staff, families, and most of all, our students.”