New Trier High School Superintendent Paul Sally has announced he will be retiring next year with the school board now formally initiating the process to find his successor.
District 203 officials revealed at the May 20 board meeting that Sally will be stepping down at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Sally started working at New Trier more than 30 years ago, first employed as a mathematics teacher. He later became an administrator and was promoted to superintendent in 2017 upon the retirement of his predecessor, Linda Yonke.
“I’ve enjoyed every role and hope that in those roles I’ve contributed to the betterment of our students, teachers, staff and the community,” he said at the school board meeting.
Sally received a five year contract extension in 2019 from the school board.
“New Trier is a wonderful school with amazing students, families and a staff that is second to none,” he added.
Officials Sally and the school board started discussing his retirement two years ago, but he agreed to stay on through the 2024-25 school year to facilitate strategic planning initiatives, plus giving the school board enough time to hire his replacement.
Board President Jean Hahn stated the school board had “big shoes to fill” in replacing Sally.
“I am confident that I can speak for the board when I say that we are deeply appreciative of the positive impact your kindness, compassion, and genuine care have had on the New Trier community, and we are so very grateful to work with you for another year,” Hahn said.
Sally’s tenure as superintendent included the creation of a new comprehensive strategic plan for the school as well as physical enhancements at both the Winnetka and Northfield campuses.
He faced some challenges including leading the school through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic requiring adjustments to the delivery of education. In 2022, a hazing scandal erupted with the boys lacrosse team following an off-campus incident leading to the squad going on probation and the eventual departure of the team’s coach.
With Sally set to leave in June 2025, the school board unanimously approved a contract with the Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates executive search firm to start the process of replacing him.
That firm is expected to make an initial presentation to the board in July, featuring a specific timeline for the hiring of a new superintendent, according to spokeswoman Niki Dizon. She added the hope is to have a successor named by the December school board meeting.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.