The Lake Ridge School Board named one of its own as the district’s next superintendent on Monday.
Calumet New Tech Principal Christopher Bajmakovich, who’s also a 1992 Calumet High graduate, will assume the superintendent’s post Jan. 1.
He agreed to a three-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000. No one spoke during the public hearing on the contract.
“I always knew I wanted to work at Calumet, to be a teacher or administrator, but superintendent; this is humbling,” Bajmakovich said.
Interim Superintendent Gilbert Crimmins will assist Bajmakovich prep for his new duties in the coming weeks.
Crimmins joined the district six months ago following the abrupt resignation of long-time school chief Sharon Johnson-Shirley in July. Johnson-Shirley, who headed the district for 19 years, didn’t send her retirement notice to the school board until mid-June.
Records revealed she accepted a settlement approved by the school board that provided her one year’s salary or $180,670. She also received a $65,666 severance payment and other benefits, bringing the settlement total to $322,880.
Bajmakovich joined the district 12 years ago and served as Calumet High assistant principal for six years before becoming principal six years ago.
Board president Kimberly Osteen said the search drew 13 applicants and she described it as a difficult process.
She said Bajmakovich was the only one who made specific recommendations on the district’s finances.
“We are excited to work with you,” Osteen said. “You were the only one who said what we needed to look at in our finances line by line. That stuck with us.”
Financial challenges lay ahead for the district, especially keeping its operations fund solvent with the expected impact from a new property tax relief law.
“We all know we have a long road ahead of us to make our schools better,” Bajmakovich said after his appointment. “It will be an uphill battle, but we’re Warriors,” he said referring to the high school’s nickname.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/09/lake-ridge-elevates-principal-to-top-post/
