Jamie Craven shifting from DeKalb role to Peru elementary job

Peru elementary schools' new superintendent is coming from a much larger district with a massive amount of administrative duty, and he's glad to be returning to a smaller district.

Jamie Craven has two big reasons for that.

"At DeKalb, I spent most of my time in a building with administrative staff, and that's not what I got into education for in the first place," he said. Craven said he likes to be in a position to get to know the building principals, the teachers, the parents and the students he is serving.

He served as an assistant principal, principal and superintendent at Rochelle over a 23-year period, and the Rochelle High School district with 900-950 students had a similar enrollment and community as the Peru district. "I was anxious to get back to that medium-sized district," Craven said.

He also taught biology at La Salle-Peru Township High School for a year in the early 1990s. "I've always loved that area," Craven added.

Furthermore, Craven has strong ties to the community, as his wife, the former Jodee Harmon, grew up on a farm in Waltham Township near Utica. In addition to having three daughters in college or graduate school, they have a daughter who will enter fifth grade this year, and she can live nearer to her grandma, grandpa and some extended cousins.

After a lengthy search process for a replacement for Mark Cross, Peru School Board approved the hiring of Craven, who on Tuesday announced to DeKalb District 428 he would be leaving the district at the end of the school year for Peru District 124.

Peru School Board President Mark Lamboley said the board, which approved the hire Wednesday in a 7-0 vote, did ask Craven why he was interested in coming to Peru after leading a district that has 11 attendance centers. This morning, Lamboley said Craven's wife originally is from the area, they have a daughter in elementary school and they had a desire to get to somewhat of a more small-town atmosphere.

This morning, Lamboley said the board has become comfortable having an experienced superintendent, and they feel confident Craven can come in and lead the administrative team, teachers and support staff, whether things go back to normal or some social-distancing measures remain in place for a while. Lamboley also was impressed by Craven's demeanor.

" Jamie did a great job throughout the interview process of giving the Board confidence that he could step in and lead our District," Lamboley posted on Facebook Wednesday night. "We are all excited to see what the next chapter brings Peru ESD 124 under Jamie’s guidance."

Craven was hired in June 2017 at DeKalb. Craven was superintendent at Rochelle for 10 years prior to taking the job at DeKalb. The DeKalb unit district includes Cortland and Malta and has eight grade schools, a school for special needs students, two middle schools and DeKalb High School.

Peru School Board members, with assistance from Illinois Association of School Boards, searched for a new superintendent for much of the winter and spring. Peru elementary board president Mark Lamboley and board members met — remotely over internet — multiple times to interview and deliberate about candidates for the position.

IASB selected an initial 10 candidates for Peru from a pool of approximately 30 who showed interest. The association then vetted those, and the Peru board interviewed five candidates.

Then, the board members had follow-up interviews with three candidates. Lamboley asked the board to take a step back to sort their thoughts over the weekend. Lamboley said the interviews took place over the Zoom online platform rather than in-person, because of COVID-19 precautions.

"It is a credit to the entire Board of Education and the candidates to make the best use of the Zoom technology to continue to move forward and ultimately make a great selection," Lamboley said.

Cross, in December, accepted position leading the Cass School District in the Hinsdale and Darien area. Cross is finishing a 15-year tenure.

"We also want to thank Mark Cross for the last 15 years of leading our District. We accomplished a tremendous amount during his tenure and he will be sadly missed. Cass District 63 will be in good hands as they enter their next phase," the Peru school board post read.

Peru public schools' new hire for superintendent received immediate praise and support Wednesday from a peer.

"Congrats to @JamieCraven22 on being named the next superintendent of Peru Elementary! Jamie is a top shelf leader and will do a great job carrying forward the outstanding reputation of Peru Elementary!!" La Salle-Peru Township High School superintendent tweeted at about 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Craven said he expects to remain in DeKalb through the end of June.

Craven said he met with the principals, over internet, and is convinced they, the board and the groundwork done over 15 years by Mark Cross should make the transition go well.

"I'm very excited to be coming to Peru and knowing Mark's done a great job and the district is set up for continued success," Craven said.

Craven shared a message he sent to district families with a Daily Chronicle reporter Tuesday night, and said he had 'mixed emotions' with the new position.

"While I am very excited about this new opportunity for my family and I, I will also miss working with the very dedicated faculty and staff here in DeKalb," Craven's message reads. "I am very proud of the work that we accomplished over the past three years and feel that the district is in a prime position to take great strides. I wish the district well as you continue to address those challenges that are before you."

DeKalb school board Samantha McDavid thanked Craven and said, "We are very grateful for the work that's been accomplished in the last three years Mr. Craven has been here. I think we're in a really good spot to continue moving forward and doing what's best for our students."

Craven has been effusive in his praise of parents, teachers, students and administrators throughout the process: "This district has such a dedicated faculty and staff who work in the best interest of kids everyday," Craven continued in his resignation message. "I am very proud to say that I was a part of those efforts, even if only for a brief time. The children, families and community are so fortunate to have you."