Joliet principal retires after more than 30 years at high school

JOLIET – As a principal, John Randich shakes the hands of hundreds of Joliet students at their graduation ceremony, where they receive a diploma indicating they’re college- and career-ready.

It’s always a highlight for Randich, Joliet Central High School’s principal for about nine years. But he presided Friday over his last graduation, deciding to retire after spending more than three decades educating and leading teachers and students.

He’s thankful he worked in the Joliet community for so long. But even after setting his retirement date four years ago, he’s a little worried about what lies ahead.

“I’ve worked full time for 39 years. So I’m looking to go from 100 miles an hour to maybe 50 – and not necessarily 100 miles an hour to zero,” he said.

In Randich’s time with Joliet Township High School District 204, he’s witnessed significant changes in the quality of the education and the student body at Joliet Central. He’s watched some of his own students become teachers at the high school, just as he did.

“He is an individual who leads by example. … He’s consistently the first to arrive at school and the last to go home and this really includes Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,” said Superintendent Cheryl McCarthy, who presented Randich with the Superintendent’s Medallion at Friday’s graduation ceremony.

The urge to teach

After graduating from Joliet Central High School in 1972, Randich attended what was then called the College of St. Francis.

Upon graduating, he worked at the college, planning to become a baseball coach until he realized he wanted to teach and coach.

He landed a position at Joliet West High School in 1978 doing both. Not too long after, the school district closed Joliet East High School due to low enrollment and the district reduced its workforce.

Randich had to find another job.

He went back to the College of St. Francis, but the urge to teach and coach remained. In 1984, he joined Joliet Central as a teacher and coach, embarking a 30-year career that led him to the principal’s office in 2007.

Randich said his work as a teacher and a coach prepared him to become a principal. It’s a role that offered opportunities but also challenges, such as worrying about the safety of more than 3,000 students and 300 staff members.

When he parked his car and walked to the school building, he would say a prayer to God to keep everyone safe.

“I did that every day,” he said. “As a principal, like a coach, you have to make sure everyone is doing their part so that the play is run perfectly.”

Changes in

the community

Being a principal means being part of the community. Randich said when he goes to stores or churches, he constantly runs into parents and students and talks with them. It’s one of the things he’ll miss about the job.

The role of principals has changed – they no longer act as a school’s curriculum director – but Randich tries to lead improvements in instructional practice and student achievement.

Since he’s worked at Joliet Central, Randich said he saw vast improvement to facilities. He’s also overseen a higher-quality curriculum for students as well as more student activities and athletics.

Where the theme of Joliet Township high schools was once budget cuts, it's now expansion, with a new Student Center under construction, he said.

Returning JT grads

Randich isn’t the only Joliet Central graduate to work at the school. He’s watched several of his own students and athletes return to educate students.

One of Randich’s own teachers, Eural “Mac” McLaughlin, who still works at the school, said “dinosaurs” such as himself and Randich stay because they “want to see change, we want to see the development of our student body.”

Jenine Barnes, Joliet Central pupil personnel service coordinator, said Randich taught her when she went to school in the mid-1980s.

“He was an awesome math teacher,” Barnes said. “He knew his stuff and he was very patient with those of us who were not quick to get it because he’s thorough in his detail and I can see that in his leadership. He wants to make sure there is a certainty.”

The future

Randich said the next principal – Shad Hallihan – will have the opportunity to work on the district's strategic plan and see new facilities built, but also faces the challenge of increasing the school's graduation rate.

While Randich has seen much change, some things remain the same.

“Have the kids changed? No. Teenagers are still teenagers. I’ve always enjoyed working with them,” he said.