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St. Charles School Board members on Monday will begin discussing the process that will be used to search for a new superintendent.
St. Charles School District Superintendent Jason Pearson on Tuesday announced he will be leaving the district to become the superintendent of Northbrook School District 28 beginning July 1. Pearson will replace Northbrook Superintendent Larry Hewitt, who has been in the post for the past 15 years, when he retires on June 30.
School Board members will discuss the search process during a special board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Pearson has served as superintendent since 2017 after joining the administrative team in 2010 as an assistant superintendent and then deputy superintendent in 2016. His contract was renewed in 2019 and runs through June 30, 2022.
His current base salary is $231,198 a year. Pearson will see his annual salary increase to $245,000 a year in his new job.
“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with you over the past 11 1/2 years as Area Assistant Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and most recently as Superintendent of Schools,” Pearson said in a message to staff. He also expressed appreciation to the staff for their commitment to the students and families in the District 303 community, particularly over the past 21 months as school districts across the country have navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
St. Charles School Board President Jillian Barker said the board has appreciated his service to the greater St. Charles community during his tenure in the district.
“His calm, compassionate, student-centered leadership style has provided guidance, support, and vision for our students, staff, and families,” Barker said in a news release from the district. “We look forward to partnering with him for the remainder of the year as we work to accomplish the board goals and priorities around completing a strategic plan, developing a ‘portrait of a graduate,’ and engaging in an equity audit process.”