Supt. Lawrence Wyllie Looks Back on Career, Retires from D210

With less than a week till his retirement begins, Lincoln-Way High School Dist. 210 Supt. Lawrence Wyllie, 74, reflected on a career in education that spanned 54 years—the last 24 were spent in the Lincoln-Way communities.

Wyllie is the fourth and longest serving superintendent in the history of District 210. Previous superintendents were: Hunter Chapman from 1952-1969; Joseph Kruzich from 1969-1977; and Lee F. Rosenquist from 1977-1988.

Having managed a district that grew from 2,800 students under one school name to one that tops 7,400 at four separate high schools—Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North and Lincoln-Way North—Wyllie is pleased with his legacy.

Looking back over the years, he said, "I did everything that I wanted to do."  He taught in the classroom, coached basketball and served in administration. He may be giving up the full-time job, but he still and has always considered himself a teacher.

After he and wife Marilynn take some time off, Wyllie said he's not at all opposed to teaching a college class or serving as a consultant for those taking on the role of superintendent for the first time. He plans to keep himself available to share related background or perspectives with incoming D210 Supt. Scott Tingley, 40 of New Lenox.

A resident of Frankfort, Wyllie invested himself in the community. He participated in the chambers of commerce in Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox and Manhattan. There's nary a bona fide organization in the district's 105-square-miles that he hasn't welcomed to use the facilities. Churches, baseball teams, park district programs, senior citizens groups, Scout troops, youth groups, dance and theatre troupes, choral groups and more are welcome to use the facilities.

Wyllie said he and the board insisted years ago, especially after passing earlier bond referendums to update L-W Central and L-W East, that the schools belonged to the community. The board and administration agreed that if the taxpayers supported the needs of the expanding high school district, they should have access, he said. The field houses at each school are opened to the public throughout the day, and the auditoriums are regularly utilized for performances and community meetings.

"The community has been so supportive of referenda. We've got the best schools in the nation."

Biggest achievements

"I got into a good district down here. The board's philosophy on student achievement" matched his goals as well. "It's been a good run. I just pinch myself that I was able to be a part of it. …I've got great memories.

 Readers might like:

• L-W District 210 Superintendent's Succession Process

• Lincoln-Way Supt. Lawrence Wyllie Announces Retirement

• Scott Tingley Appointed Lincoln-Way 210 Superintendent

"I'm particularly proud of the great test scores and improved student achievement," he said crediting the teachers, administration, support staff and more. Everyone from the school bus drivers, who are the first ones that students see in the morning, to the cafeteria workers, office support staff and more have a hand in creating a positive environment for learning.

It sounds simplistic, he said, but maintaining the buildings—keeping equipment working properly, making sure the hallways and table tops are clean—is a morale booster. It generates pride and creates an environment for learning.

The future of Lincoln-Way D210

Wyllie sees the district's future as a rosy one. "We've got to get those pensions figured out." Beyond that, the Lincoln-Way communities are ripe for growth, he said, citing the commercial and industrial projects moving to occupy space near Interstate 80 as it traverses the L-W communities and Interstate 355 where it meets Route 6 in New Lenox. The growth is evident in all directions. Route 30 continues to attract development. He foresees Manhattan as the next area for large-scale growth.

Wyllie is confident that he's leaving the district in good hands with the new administration. "Scott Tingley will be a very fine superintendent.  He'll put in 25 years here."  

The future for Lincoln-Way is only going to get better, he said. "The best is yet to come."

What Wyllie will miss most?

The friendships and regular contact with the staff and the board members will be tough for Wyllie to leave behind. Not being able to communicating regularly with Board Member Jim Gast, who has become a good friend, will be hard on the retiring superintendent. "Jim Gast has been in my corner the whole time. He's just a great fellow. He's a special guy. He's a Lincoln-Way grad. The guy bleeds red and black."

Sure, the two will meet for coffee at Country Charm Restaurant, but it won't be the same, said Wyllie.

Now that he's ready to retire, Wyllie said he plans to put some extra effort into training and showing his two Australian Shepherds. I've got plenty to do." 

Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:

• New Lenox newsletter and New Lenox Patch Facebook

• Frankfort newsletter and Frankfort Patch Facebook

• Mokena newsletter and Mokena Patch Facebook

• Tinley Park newsletter and Tinley Park Patch Facebook