MINOOKA — Dr. David Middleton announced he will retire, effective June 2011, from his position as superintendent of Minooka High School District 111.

Middleton came to the district in the 2004-2005 school year and faced a teacher’s strike in his first year.

“One of the challenges the first year was the teacher’s strike, there was a significant break down” he said. “A lot of work went in to it. We’ve worked ever since on both sides to make a difference.

“The district is a much different place today because of the administration, board and teacher’s union.”

Middleton said the state of the district is one of the reasons he feels it is a good time to retire.

“It’s a personal decision,” he said. “It’s the right time for me and a good time for the school district. The district is at a point of stability and a lot of change and adjustment has already occurred.”

Middleton decided during his college years, as he studied science, to become a teacher.

He worked in the Summit Hill District in Frankfort for 28 years in a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade environment.

He started as a science teacher in the junior high grades in 1976. Eventually, he worked his way up the ladder serving as principal, and later administrator and superintendent.

He moved to Minooka Community High School District 111 as superintendent and went to work.

“The nice thing about a high school district is you see the students every day, and they are great students who have goals and are easy to engage,” he said. “It’s a great time in their life when they can see what they have done and see what they can do.”

According to staff, Middleton knows his students by choice, not by chance.

“Dr. Middleton has been extremely supportive of all our athletic programs over the years, and he has also shown his support as a fan,” MCHS Athletic Director Bob Tyrell. “Whether it is a Friday night football game or a Tuesday night volleyball game, he is there in the stands cheering our athletes on to victory.”

Tyrell feels Middleton’s support has echoed the important role that extracurricular programs have in a student’s high school career.

Middleton was eligible to retire two years ago, but he chose to stick out the building and opening of the south campus.

“The biggest thing in the seven years here is having the space to teach,” he said. “The kids were out of space, and they were in mobile classrooms with an overlap schedule. The approval of the second high school by the community has put the district in a stable position.”

The opening of the new school and the transition of the students and staff is one of the many achievements that has happened in his time as superintendent.

“During Dr. Middleton’s tenure as superintendent, our district has overcome some significant challenges that have resulted in wonderful things,” said Dave DiLorenzo, MCHS director of community relations. "We were able to pass a construction referendum that resulted in MCHS - South Campus. We successfully transitioned to a two-school configuration, and we adopted a strategic plan that will allow us to continue on the path of providing students with an educational experience that leads them to success.”

The strategic plan is the last piece of the puzzle Middleton hoped to accomplish before leaving.

Middleton is quick to credit the successes to the board, staff and community. He says he just helped push it along. Others give him more credit than he gives himself.

“While these successes were collective efforts of our Board, staff, students, family, and community, Dr. Middleton’s leadership certainly helped bring them to reality,” DiLorenzo said. “While his tenure at MCHS District 111 will conclude at the end of this school year, his efforts during that tenure will continue to positively impact MCHS students for years to come.”

Board President Larry Larson said the search to find a replacement will begin as the board finds a search firm to look for candidates.

“Our goal is to be complete with the hiring process in February,” Larson said. “We hope individuals see the district is a good place to work.”