RICHMOND – Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 and Nippersink School District 2 announced that the school boards have selected a new superintendent to replace retiring Superintendent Dan Oest.

The boards chose Richmond-Burton High School Principal Thomas Lind, who has been with the district for the past eight years serving first as assistant principal and as principal for the past five years.

Over the past eight years, Lind also has taught graduate school courses at St. Xavier University in Chicago, National Louis University and Concordia University in Chicago. Before moving with his family to Richmond, Lind was an educator and coach at Hononegah Community High School for 13 years.

Lind has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University, a degree in educational leadership and administration and an educational specialist degree from Northern Illinois University. School district officials said Lind also will earn his doctorate degree in education in January.

School officials said the school boards conducted their search for a new superintendent with the assistance of the Illinois School Board Association in a rigorous process that included surveys, focus groups and interviews before selecting Lind from among a highly qualified field of candidates.

Steve Holtz, president of the Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 School Board and Nippersink School District 2 Board President Bert Irslinger released a joint written statement Wednesday after Lind’s selection. They thanked the community, faculty, parents and others who participated in the process.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Lind into this new role as our superintendent, and believe his leadership skills will continue to move our districts forward as we look to build on the high level of education our schools currently provide to our students,” the statement said.

Oest makes $206,394 a year as superintendent, with both districts paying a share of his salary, according to records.