U-46 hires 2 CPS veterans for leadership roles
Elgin Area District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres has named a pair of Chicago Public School veterans and a current U-46 staff member to a number of key positions within the district’s administration.
Tony Sanders, who has served as the district’s chief of communications and accountability for the past three years, is now Torres’ chief of staff.
“In the past year I have relied on Tony to fulfill some of the chief of staff duties,” Torres sad in a news release. “I look forward to having him continuing to serve this district, and our students, in this new capacity.”
Sanders had been getting base pay of $127,470 and will see it rise to $140,523. His overall compensation will be $147,144.
The chief of staff position has remained vacant for the past year.
In addition, Torres named Miguel Rodriguez as chief legal officer. He replaces Pat Broncato, who accepted an assistant superintendent position in another district.
Most recently, Rodriguez has served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Chicago Public Schools overseeing the school law division since 2002.
Torres was a regional superintendent in Chicago Public Schools before being hired by U-46.
“During his 23 years of experience as an attorney in the Chicago Public Schools, Miguel has overseen student disciplinary hearings, drafted board policies and legislation, and worked collaboratively with principals, the teachers union, the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, and members of local school councils,” Torres said. “To say Miguel is seasoned would be an understatement.”
Rodriguez joined Chicago Public Schools in 1988 as an assistant attorney. In that time, he has handled complaints before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Human Rights Commission, a U-46 news release said.
“I’m thrilled and honored to join such a dynamic administration and school district,” Rodriguez said in the release.
Rodriguez will have a base salary of $160,000 plus $7,539 in retirement fund contributions.
A fellow Chicago Public Schools administrator also has been named as chief of equity and social justice in U-46. Ushma Shah has been tapped to take on the task of closing the achievement gap and ensuring racial equity in the district.
Shah’s base pay will be $120,000 with another $12,450 in retirement contributions.
“Dr. Shah brings to U-46 her expertise and her proven ability to work with school leaders in closing the achievement gap between student groups,” Torres said.