District 128 reaches separation agreement with superintendent Denise Herrmann
The exit of Denise Herrmann as superintendent at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 is official with split school board approval of a separation agreement.
Emerging from an hourlong closed session Monday, the board voted 4-3 to amend Herrmann’s contract and end her employment as of June 30, 2025, three years before the contract term expires.
Under the amended contract, Herrmann agrees to voluntarily resign. She’ll remain on paid administrative leave and receive all remaining payments on an annual $304,290 salary and benefits.
There was no public comment by the board regarding the action before or after the vote. A separation agreement has been in progress since early July when the beleaguered Herrmann was put on paid leave.
A short joint statement acknowledged the parties agreed to change the contract.
“We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Herrmann’s many contributions to District 128 and wish her well in her future endeavors,” the statement read.
Hermann gets a year of salary and benefits. Administrative leave allows her to claim an additional year of credible earning with the Teachers’ Retirement System. She also will receive a $20,700 contribution to her school retirement plan, board paid insurance, and $6,000 in transportation expenses.
While on leave, Herrmann will be allowed to perform “other professional work” under parameters to be determined in consultation with the school board president.
Board members did not explain or elaborate on their votes. Voting in favor of the contract change was board President Lisa Hessel, vice president Jim Batson, and members Cara Benjamin and Don Carmichael. Board secretary Sonal Kulkarni and members Mithilesh Kotwal and Kara Drumke voted against.
Herrmann has been under fire for months. In May, the 293-member teachers union went public with a vote of “no confidence” saying, in part, Herrmann showed a lack of leadership and created an “environment of distrust and disrespect.”
Parents and others jammed school board meetings giving hours of public comment.
Among the criticisms were an alleged lack of planning in pursuit of pending educational initiatives without a realistic plan and other perceived shortcomings. At one point, a petition with 1,116 signatures called for the district to “press pause” on the initiatives.
In her defense, Herrmann at a meeting in May vowed to “stand strong and resilient” despite calls for her dismissal. She said she followed district policy, Illinois law and Illinois school code when making decisions and that sometimes leaders have to make unpopular decisions.
On July 22, the school board unanimously approved hiring veteran educators Raymond Lechner and Rebecca Nelson as interim superintendents to guide the district through the school year.
Representatives from the teachers and educational support professionals unions in scheduled reports to the board Monday noted a more collaborative environment and renewed optimism.
The board in the statement said it is focused on finding a superintendent for the 2025-26 school year.