The lure of a bigger title, a larger district, and a faster commute has persuaded John Gibson, the business manager of Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208, to leave RB. Gibson announced last week that he has accepted an offer to become the assistant superintendent for business services at Kankakee Unit School District 111.
Gibson will leave RB when his contract expires on June 30.
“It is a great opportunity, and it came at the right time,” said Gibson. “I’m really looking to spend more time with my family. I work long hours anyway. My commute will be a lot less. It’ll be about half the time.”
Gibson lives in the south suburbs. He said he will not miss his drive to RB. Instead of taking a circuitous route from his home in the south suburbs to RB, Gibson will merely have to zip down I-57 to get to his new job.
In his new position, Gibson will oversee a $60 million budget in a district that has 13 schools and 6,000 students. At RB Gibson managed $19 million budget.
Gibson came to RB in May of 2001. Prior to working at RB he was an assistant business manager at New Trier High School.
Gibson will be missed at RB according to Principal/Superintendent Jack Baldermann.
“John has done an excellent job for us,” said Baldermann. “During the last six years that he’s been the full-time business manager, we’ve earned the highest rating from the Illinois State Board of Education for the handling of our finances every one of those years. He was coveted by many districts, and we’re going to miss him.”
District 208 will now begin a search to replace Gibson. Baldermann posted the vacancy last week and hopes to fill the position as soon as possible.
Gibson is making $110,500 this year. The details of his new contract with Kankakee District 111 have not been finalized, according to the district’s outgoing Superintendent for Business Services Curt Saindon. Gibson said he will be getting a raise at his new job.
