Superintendent Search

Our School Board is looking for a generational leader who can build upon what is strong, advance academic excellence and outcomes for every student, and provide the financial management, organizational leadership, stability, and consensus-building necessary to position District 65 for a strong and sustainable future.

The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education is committed to conducting a thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive search for the District's next superintendent.

In June 2026, the Board and Superintendent Dr. Angel Turner reached a mutual separation agreement, concluding Dr. Turner's service as superintendent on June 30, 2026. The Board thanks Dr. Turner for her dedication to District 65 and her contributions to the District during a period of significant transformation, including efforts to strengthen financial sustainability, improve student outcomes, and advance important capital projects.

To provide continuity and stability during this transition, the Board appointed Dr. Eric Witherspoon to serve as interim superintendent from July 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Dr. Witherspoon brings decades of experience in public education and district leadership, including as the former superintendent of Evanston Township High School District 202 and will lead the District while the Board conducts its search for a permanent superintendent.

On August 17, 2026, the School Board selected Alma Advisory Group to lead the search. Throughout the process, the Board will seek input from students, staff, families, and the broader community to help identify the qualities and priorities that will guide the selection of the District's next superintendent. The hiring decision is ultimately the responsibility of the School Board.

This page will serve as the central source for information about the superintendent search, including the search timeline, opportunities for community engagement, updates from the School Board, and key milestones throughout the process.

Engagement Opportunities

We want to hear from you. What do you value most about District 65? What are your hopes for our next chapter? Where can the District improve? What qualities does our next superintendent need to be successful in their next role?

Community Gatherings
Community Survey

Community Gatherings

Join us for one of three community gatherings across District 65. Your perspectives will help inform the leadership profile and priorities that guide the search.

Community Gatherings Dates and Locations

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Chute Middle School
1400 Oakton St., Evanston
6:00–8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Foster Elementary School
1600 Simpson St., Evanston
6:00–8:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 22, 2026
Nichols Middle School
800 Greenleaf St., Evanston
6:00–8:00 p.m.

Community Survey

Interim Leadership

At the June 22 Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the appointment of Dr. Eric Witherspoon as Interim Superintendent, effective July 1 through December 31, 2026. This appointment follows the Board's approval of a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Dr. Angel Turner who will continue to serve through June 30, 2026.

Dr. Witherspoon is a veteran educational leader with more than four decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He served as Superintendent of Evanston Township High School from 2006 until his retirement in 2022, becoming one of the longest-serving superintendents in the school's history. Prior to ETHS, he served as superintendent in Des Moines, Iowa; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Hobart, Indiana.

Throughout his career, Dr. Witherspoon has been recognized for his commitment to educational excellence, equity, and student success. During his tenure at ETHS, he led significant academic, operational, and facilities initiatives while maintaining strong financial stewardship, including balanced budgets, rebuilding reserves, and earning the district's highest-ever Moody's Aaa bond rating.

As a longtime member of the Evanston community, Dr. Witherspoon brings deep familiarity with the students, families, schools, and community partners that make Evanston/Skokie unique. His extensive leadership experience and longstanding relationships across the community provide valuable continuity and insight as he supports the district during this transition. We are grateful to Dr. Witherspoon for his willingness to serve and for his unwavering commitment to public education and the Evanston/Skokie community.

We look forward to immediately launching a public, transparent search process for the district’s permanent superintendent and one that is representative of stakeholders across our community. A more detailed timeline will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Board intends to begin the process by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a superintendent search firm.

We’re excited about the opportunity to bring aboard a new leader to shape the future of Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and will continue to provide updates to our community as this process unfolds. Thank you for your partnership and continued support of our school district.

Search Firm Selection

On August 17, 2026, the School Board selected Alma Advisory Group to lead the search for the next Superintendent of District 65, pending contract approval at an upcoming meeting. Alma stood out for its flexible and highly personalized approach, deep roots in Illinois, national reach, and experience leading complex searches with robust community engagement.

Our next Superintendent must understand District 65 and the role they are stepping into. And, while this is ultimately a Board decision, the process should be a reflection of the voices, experiences, and priorities from all facets of our community. Alma brings significant experience designing inclusive and accessible opportunities for stakeholder involvement, including during the finalist stage. Read the full announcement

View the Superintendent Search Presentation, September 28, 2026
View the Alma Advisory Group Presentation

RFP Process

On July 16, the Board issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for executive search firms to assist the Board in the recruitment, screening, and selection of a permanent Superintendent of Schools.

The Board intends to conduct a full, open search supported by a professional firm, consistent with the District's prior practice and adapted to the District's current circumstances.

View the Request for Proposal (RFP)

Three qualified firms (Alma Advisory Group, HYA, and IASB) responded to the proposal and presented to the School Board at the August 10 Committee Meeting.

Key Dates

July 17, 2026 - Release and Posting of RFP
July 27, 2026 - Posted in Board Packet as FYI
July 31, 2026 - Deadline for Applications
August 3, 2026 - Board Review Search Firm Proposals
August 10, 2026 - Committee Meeting: Search Firm Presentations
August 17, 2026 - Search Firm Selection
August 31, 2026 - Approval of Contract Approval with Search Firm

Share Your Thoughts

The Board has committed to a public, transparent search process for the district’s permanent superintendent and one that is representative of stakeholders across our community. This will include opportunities for stakeholders to provide input on the development of a leadership profile and community forums with the two final candidates. Please view the ‘Engagement Opportunities’ tab for more information.

Outside of these opportunities, insights, questions, or general comments may be directed to the School Board by emailing schoolboard@district65.net or by signing up to make a public comment at any scheduled Regular or Committee meeting. View meeting schedule.

Timeline

Tentative Timeline

The timeline below provides an overview of the anticipated superintendent search process. As the Board selects a search firm and planning progresses, additional milestones, engagement opportunities, and key dates will be finalized and added to this page. Please note that as this process evolves, dates and milestones may change.

Date	Milestone
July 17, 2026	Request for Proposals (RFP) issued seeking executive search firms
July 31, 2026	RFP: Proposals Due
August 10, 2026	Search Firm Presentations & Interviews (Board Committee Meeting)
Mid-August	Search Firm Selection and Public Announcement
September - October	Leadership Profile Development and Stakeholder Engagement
October - November	Application Period - Candidate Recruitment
Early November	Application Deadline
Early-to-mid December	Candidate slate presented to the Board (closed session)
Mid-December	Superintendent Finalists identified (minimum of two)
January	Stakeholder Engagement with Finalists (format TBD)
Late January	Final Interviews and Selection
February - June	Onboarding of New Superintendent
July 1, 2027	New Superintendent Starts

Communications Archive

Date	Communication	Key Points
10/7/26	Community Gatherings & Survey	Invitation to broader community to participate in community gatherings October 20-22 and take community survey through October 30
8/18/26	Search Firm Selection Announcement	School Board selects Alma Advisory Group to lead the search for the next Superintendent of District 65.
7/20/26	Search Firm Selection Process and Request For Proposals	School Board issues a Request for Proposals for Executive Search Firm and launches 'Superintendent Search' info hub on D65 website
6/22/26	Appointment of Interim Superintendent	School Board announces appointment of Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon through December 31, 2026 (note: On August 10, 2026, the School Board later approved an extension through January 31, 2027)
6/18/26	District 65 Leadership Transition	School Board announces mutual leadership transition with Superintendent Dr. Angel Turner

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