Joel Benton, principal of Hauser Junior High School in Riverside since 1996, will resign his post on June 30, but will remain on a paid leave of absence until that time. The District 96 Board of Education voted 4-0, without comment last Friday night to accept Benton’s resignation and paid leave. The vote came after a 25-minute closed session.
Voting in favor of the measures were board President Cheryl Berdelle and board members Nancy Jensen, Richard Volpe and Giles McCarthy. board Vice President Kevin Kemp and board member Linda Bade were absent from the special meeting, which was held in the Hauser Junior High library, in front of a handful of parents.
District 96 Superintendent Jonathan Lamberson officially began the search for Benton’s replacement Monday by posting the job. Victoria DeVylder, who also serves as principal at Hollywood School in Brookfield, will remain as interim principal at Hauser until the year, Lamberson said.
A search committee consisting of both staff and parents will interview principal candidates.
“If we could wrap this up by an April 1 time frame, that would be optimal,” Lamberson said. “I’d hesitate going beyond that. We’re looking for an experienced middle school principal.”
Benton’s resignation letter stated that he was tendering the district his “voluntary, unconditional and irrevocable resignation” effective Jan. 25. No reason was given for the resignation.
Benton was placed on a leave of absence Jan. 9, the first day of school after winter break. In a letter sent home to parents announcing the leave, Lamberson referenced a family matter, but did not specifically link that family matter with the leave of absence.
A copy of the district’s resignation agreement with Benton was not immediately made available to the press. The Landmark has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain a copy of the document.