U-46 shuffles leadership at four schools

There will be some new faces at Kenyon Woods and Larsen middle schools when school begins for the 2012-2013 school year as both campuses welcome new principals.

But while Mike Demovsky and Lorie Fuller may be unfamiliar to parents and students at their respective schools, both are moving from within the leadership ranks in Elgin Area School District U-46.

Demovsky, 35, currently in his second year as assistant principal at Streamwood High School, will succeed Sue Welu at Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin. Welu is retiring after spending 33 years in the district.

“I am most excited about forming new relationships. A wonderful part of the job is getting to know parents and students on different levels,” said Demovsky, who also the divisional chair of music and art at Streamwood High. “The great thing about Kenyon Woods is that it is on the same campus as South Elgin High School, so we can build a stronger bond and partnership because of geography than other middle and high schools are able.”

Demovsky began his career in U-46 as a Spanish teacher at Bartlett High School.

Meanwhile, Lorie Fuller will take over as principal at Larsen Middle School in Elgin when Randy Hodges retires.

Fuller, 41, is currently assistant principal at South Elgin High School.

“Middle school students are preparing to enter high school and my experience lends itself to creating transition programs at the middle school level,” Fuller said. “I want to help eighth-grade students prepare for high school so students feel more comfortable about that next step.”

Hodges, 62, has been principal at the middle and elementary school levels and also held administrative positions with the district during his 22-year career in U-46.

“I still really enjoy what I do,” Hodges said. “I feel that I have been blessed to work with dedicated teachers and parents in U-46. But I feel it is time for me to go in another direction.”

Hodges said he plans to teach education leadership courses at the college level and be more active at his church, Second Baptist Church in Elgin, where he is a deacon.