Interim Principal Announced

Dr. James Mitchem: New Interim Principal
Posted on 08/05/2021
Photo of Dr. James Mitchem
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School has announced that Dr. James Mitchem, Jr. — an educator with nearly 40 years of experience — will take the lead as the school’s interim principal for the 2021-2022 school year.

“Dr. Mitchem brings a wide breadth of experience to H-F, having served in many roles during his extensive career in education,” says Dr. Von Mansfield, District 233’s superintendent. “We are fortunate to have someone who is student-centered and who will be working diligently with staff this school year to provide the best teaching and learning opportunities at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.”

Recently retired as superintendent from Valley View Consolidated Unit School District 365, Dr. Mitchem’s career in education has spanned everything from teacher to dean of students to the highest levels of administration. Prior to serving as District 365’s superintendent from 2011-2020, Dr. Mitchem served as principal at three different schools: Bolingbrook High School (2006-2011), Romeoville High School (2002-2006) and B.J. Ward Middle School (2000-2002) in Bolingbrook. He has also worked as an assistant principal and a dean of students, after beginning his career as a Physical Education teacher in Romeoville. Dr. Mitchem also served his alma mater, DePaul University, as director of Athletic Academic Advising from 1995-1999. From DePaul, he received a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, plus a Type 75 certification. He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. In addition to public school service, Dr. Mitchem also volunteers as a Sunday School teacher and as a community basketball coach for grade schoolers.

“We are excited to have Dr. Mitchem bring his wealth of high school and leadership experience to Homewood-Flossmoor to help us continue the tradition of excellence that our district has enjoyed,” says Dr. Scott Wakeley, District 233’s superintendent-elect.

Under the direction of Dr. Mansfield and Dr. Wakeley, Dr. Mitchem will become an integral part of the district’s administrative team for the upcoming school year, which begins Monday, Aug. 9, for staff and teachers; Thursday, Aug. 12, for freshmen, sophomores and transfer students; and Friday, Aug. 13, for all H-F students. All three administrators will be available to meet with the community at Flossmoor Park (2523 Flossmoor Road) at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, at a meet-and-greet event, sponsored by Flossmoor School District 161.

Beginning this fall, the District 233 Board of Education will conduct a national search for the school’s next full-time principal with an anticipated starting date of July 1, 2022.