RIVERSIDE – Riverside School District 96 Superintendent Bhavna Sharma-Lewis will not be returning for the 2015-2016 school year after the Board of Education severed its contractual ties with her March 17.
School Board president Mary Rose Mangia stated in a news release that the Board and Sharma-Lewis "mutually agreed" to end the contractual relationship effective June 30. School district documents indicated the issue rose "as a result of differences in direction that could not be reconciled."
That was as far as any explanation for the severance of the contract went. Attempts to reach Sharma-Lewis were unsuccessful and Mangia declined an interview, stating that public statements and the news release "stands on their own."
Sharma-Lewis was hired in December 2012 to replace retiring Superintendent Jonathan Lamberson on July 1, 2013.
Mangia further stated that the Board will begin searching for an experienced and well-credentialed interim superintendent as soon as possible.
"We seek a smooth transition that will support great learning and strengthened academic
achievement," Mangia stated.
According to a Nov. 28, 2012 Dist. 96 news release, Sharma-Lewis started as a math teacher in Carol Stream and Deerfield school districts, then became an elementary school principal in both Skokie and Elmhurst.
In July 2010, Sharma -Lewis became superintendent of of Harrison School District 36 in Wonder Lake.
Sharma-Lewis holds as BA in education, a Masters of Science in mathematics and and a doctorate in police studies and curriculum.