The Duneland School Board meeting Thursday to formally approve the contract promoting Robert McDermott to superintendent was more like a celebration.
Every seat in the school board meeting room was filled with well-wishers, congratulating Assistant Superintendent McDermott for succeeding his boss, Chip Pettit, who has been hired as superintendent of the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 in suburban Chicago.
The board unanimously voted to approve the three-year contract that starts July 1 for McDermott with an initial salary of $210,000. However, McDermott would see his salary increase to $220,000 if he moves within the Duneland district, which he plans to do this spring.
McDermott, 55, briefly thanked everyone and introduced the audience to his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law in attendance, along with a special guest, his 2-month-old granddaughter.
Then, McDermott announced his first important action as the incoming superintendent: That he has chosen Dr. Benjamin Tonagel, who is now assistant superintendent with LaPorte Community School Corporation, to be his assistant superintendent.
Tonagel, 47, was LaPorte’s assistant superintendent for six years and served as the LaPorte High School principal for seven years before that.
As the assistant superintendent, Tonagel was in charge of the K-12 schools and their principals, directed the district’s strategic plan and teaching and learning initiatives, managed federal and competitive grant programs and launched the district’s first online school.
Tonagel said that he became acquainted with McDermott over the years through meetings involving Duneland Athletic Conference schools.
“I’m grateful for the board’s trust in joining a high-performing team,” Tonagel said. He will begin as Duneland’s assistant superintendent on July 1.
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This is the third time that School Board President Brandon Kroft has been through the process of hiring a superintendent, which he said is the board’s most important job.
“This was the easiest, least full of drama time. I think that’s a testament to the professionalism that has been instituted in the school district since the hiring of Dr. Pettit,” Kroft said.
Kroft has said that McDermott was hired because of his familiarity with the school district and ability to continue the positive momentum created during Pettit’s tenure. He lauded the hiring of Tonagel, who has a wealth of experience.
“We could not, as a board, ask for a better situation,” Kroft said.
Bob DeRuntz, co-president of the Duneland Teachers Association, said he can remember being present in 2019 when Pettit interviewed for the job, wondering whether he would like a guy from Crown Point.
“But I really did like the Crown Point guy. And we achieved a lot in these seven years. And I will always be grateful for how hard you worked to communicate with the community and to earn their support to renew the referendum. And that is one example of your lasting legacy,” DeRuntz said.
The renewal of the referendum last November helps to ensure the district’s financial stability.
DeRuntz then offered his congratulations to McDermott, who as assistant superintendent was the administration’s point man in handling teacher contract issues.
“For the last seven years, we have worked very closely together on negotiations and discussion with the association every month and every day, solving every issue,” DeRuntz said. “And we built a really great collaboration, trust and teamwork. We are looking very much forward to continuing that.”
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.