Article Summary: Superintendent Brandon Owens is recuperating at home following a vehicle accident, prompting the Peotone Board of Education to establish an interim leadership team. Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales will serve as the acting superintendent, with Manteno Superintendent Lisa Harrod volunteering her time as a consulting superintendent.

Interim Leadership Key Points:

• Superintendent Brandon Owens is on leave to recover from a vehicle accident.

• Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales has been named the acting superintendent in his absence.

• The board approved an agreement with Manteno Superintendent Lisa Harrod to serve as a consulting superintendent, a role for which she is donating her time.

PEOTONE, IL – The Peotone school district will be guided by an interim leadership team while Superintendent Brandon Owens recovers from a recent vehicle accident.

At the start of the August 18 board meeting, Board President Rick Uthe announced that Mr. Owens is at home recuperating. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon and his family for a speedy recovery and a speedy return back to work. We miss him,” Uthe said.

In Mr. Owens’ absence, Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales will serve as the de facto superintendent.

To provide additional support during this critical period, the board unanimously approved a consulting superintendent agreement with Lisa Harrod, the superintendent of neighboring Manteno School District. Zurales praised the arrangement, highlighting Harrod’s generosity.

“I just want to thank Lisa Harrod from Manteno for willing to step in,” Zurales said. “This will be a resource for me during this interim period. A true neighbor, a community neighbor… she’s donating her time and services.”

The temporary leadership structure is in place as the district navigates the approval of its annual budget and begins difficult conversations about a significant financial deficit and potential school closures.