Dist. 46 names new chief school business official

Grayslake Elementary District 46 officials on Tuesday hired a new administrator to handle the district’s business operations.

Todd Covault was named the district’s chief school business official. He comes from Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 44 in the south suburbs, where he served as director of business affairs and human resources.

Covault will earn a $120,000 annual salary, Superintendent Ellen Correll said. His contract calls for one year of service, she said.

He was hired without objection.

Before the board voted to bring Covault aboard, Correll spoke highly of his experience and advanced degrees.

“I think this is going to be a great fit for our district,” Correll said.

Covault is District 46’s fifth business manager in the last three years. He replaces David Tylavsky, who quit in March after spending less than a year in the post.

Tylavsky had been hired after District 46 officials fired Edward Towle in May 2010. Towle was let go just weeks following his hiring after officials learned he was on paid leave at Brown Deer School District in suburban Milwaukee.

Towle has since sued District 46 in federal court, claiming breach of contract.

Towle had been hired to replace Brad Goldstein as chief school business official.

Covault will begin in the district Friday, officials said.