Deerfield Resident, 109 Parent to Head District

Village resident and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 parent Michael Lubelfeld will become superintendent of the town’s elementary and middle schools July 1 replacing retiring Superintendent Renee Goier, according to a news release from the District.

“This is one of the most exciting things, to get to serve my own community,” Lubelfeld said. “Having the opportunity to serve my own community does not come along often and it is an absolute privilege to have the chance to (participate) as a parent, community member and institutional educator.”

Earlier: Update: Superintendent Search To Ramp Up

A 20-year educator, Lubelfeld is no stranger to the North Shore having served as principal of Elm Place School in Highland Park. He comes to Deerfield from Norridge, where he is superintendent of an elementary school district there.

District 109 School Board President Ellen London is pleased with the choice after a long and exhaustive search. She also sees a benefit stemming from Lubelfeld’s ties to the community but it was coincidence.

“It’s one part of the learning curve he doesn’t have. He certainly knows the community,” London said. “We went with the one who best met the criteria set by the community and the Board. He’s who it happened to be.”

London was joined in praise for the Lubelfeld choice by Deerfield Education Association teachers union President Dennis Jensen. He likes the fact the new superintendent calls the Village home as well as a perception of the positive environment he will create.

“He looks like he wants to create a collegial and collaborative environment,” Jensen said. “I think it is a plus he is from the community. He is well aware of what has been going on in the District the last few years; he added referring to contentious labor negotiations between the union and the District. 

As the search process progressed no one had to sell Lubelfeld on the quality of the District where one of his children is a third grader. The other is in preschool.

“I know firsthand as an education professional and as a parent that District 109 is truly exceptional,” Lubelfeld said in the release. “Students in our schools thrive because they are afforded extraordinary educational experiences from outstanding administrators, teachers and staff.”

Lubelfeld will be introduced at 7 p.m. Monday at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting at the Administration Building.

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