Somers/Lakeside looks for new school leader

Casey Love is stepping down as Somers/Lakeside School District superintendent at the end of June.

Love took on two jobs for the 2011-12 school year, working with information technology at Lakeside Elementary School and as superintendent for the district.

Love’s last day as superintendent is June 30.

“I think Casey was good and picked up the ball when we really needed it a year ago, but I think he was in a bad place to be in,” trustee Mike Schlegel said.

Board chairman Dave Alexander said the board knew Love’s resignation after a year was a possibility but trustees thought he was the best fit to get the district through the transition after the previous superintendent, Teri Wing, resigned.

Love took the superintendent position last year with the understanding that he could return to the classroom. It is yet to be determined if he will return to his previous role in physical education and technology.

“Working two jobs is difficult, being the IT at Lakeside and the superintendent of both has brought several challenges to me,” Love said. “My master’s is in technology and that is where I would like to be.”

This was Love’s eighth year with the district and his 27th year in education.

Love hopes to stay with the Somers/Lakeside district and help the next superintendent with his or her transition into the position. The board is advertising the position through the Office of Public Instruction and will begin looking at resumes soon.

Trustees anticipate selecting a new superintendent in the next six weeks.

“I will be there to support any way I can and give the best of luck to whoever they hire,” Love said.

Trustee Courtney Shaeffer said she thinks Love’s next position will be discussed at the next board meeting on May 10.

“I’m sad to see him go, I think he’s been a benefit and kept an open mind and tried his best to work with the budget that we have,” Shaeffer said.

“It’s been great working with the staff, support has been tremendous,” Love said. “Our community has been great toward us as well, and I can’t say how much I appreciate all of that.”