Elgin school district administrator nominated for McHenry regional superintendent

McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, nominated former Elgin School District U-46 administrator Diana Hartmann to be the next superintendent of the McHenry County Regional Office of Education.

Hartmann’s nomination will go before the County Board for a vote Tuesday night, potentially marking the end of a two-month search to replace former Regional Superintendent Leslie Schermerhorn. If approved, Hartmann would take over the office’s duties through at least June 2023.

“Hartmann is experienced, capable and motivated, and I believe she is the best choice to get the Regional Office of Education back on track,” Buehler said in a news release Friday.

Hartmann was a special education administrator in the Elgin school district and is a Lakemoor resident. She was one of three people to apply for the job. Interim Regional Superintendent Mike Freeman also applied for the position.

Hartmann has experience working for McHenry County schools after working for Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47 and Harvard School District 50, according to the new release.

The Regional Office of Education is responsible for handling teacher certification, truancy issues and GEDs, as well as ensuring the county’s public school districts remain financially viable and in compliance with state curriculum requirements.

Schermerhorn was removed from office by a unanimous vote of the County Board in November after years of troubles with the office, including unaccounted for funds and organizational issues.

The position normally is elected by the voters and will be up for election in November.