Four New Dist. 202 Principals, Administrators OK'd by Board

Four administrative positions were filled Monday Night by the school board.

Stacey Wilke, assistant principal of since 2008, will succeed Eileen Nelson as principal of Ridge Elementary.

Wilke began her District 202 tenure as a sixth-grade math and science teacher at in 2005. Before that, she taught at schools in Las Vegas and Schaumburg for three years.

“I can’t wait to get there,” Wilke started, “If I had keys, I’d go there tonight.

“Eileen Nelson is great. I have big shoes to fill. I just want to continue doing what she did wonderfully as our leader.

The other promotions were:

• Mary Boyd, former assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at the Technology Center of DuPage in Addison, replaces Mary Jones as the assistant principal at .
• Bridgett Sprovieri takes over as the second assistant principal at . Sprovieri was the special education coordinator for the Rockdale School District.
• Mary Ann Deliberto assumes the position of assistant director of early childhood.

The school board also officially recognized Plainfield East High School senior for his perfect 36 score on the ACT college entrance exam, the first time that's been achieved since 2006.

Suarez was presented with a certificate of achievement and a gift certificate for a Plainfield pizzeria by school board President Roger Bonuchi.

In other action, the school board approved a motion that will end public access to the high school fitness centers.

A year ago, the board proposed closing the centers on non-activity days due to financial strain, but allowed the program to continue as a way to promote physical fitness in the community. The district's $40,000 deficit forced the district to end the program, he said.

 “I do think there is going to be disappointment,” Harper said. “It was with regret I made that recommendation, as it was one of the few opportunities to bring the community into the schools and utilize the building they paid for.”

However, Harper did leave the door open to the possiblity that the decision could be reversed in the future.

“We’re never going to say never and we’re going to continue to look for opportunities for people to use the facilities," he said. "We’re only the guardians. So we’re not going to shut the door on anything.”

In other news, the board:

• Held off on making a decision on a proposal to allow the , an August event to raise money for riverfront development, to use the district parking lots. Organizers have not yet completed the facility-use agreement.
• Accepted a $2,000 donation to Grand Prairie Elementary from the Jo Ann Fabrics “Inspire to Help” corporate program.
• Approved a $451,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus, Brothers of Good Shepherd Council No. 5573, for the district’s special education program.