Dist. 300 hires new elementary principal, HR director

The administration in Community Unit District 300 continues to undergo some reshuffling with the school board approving the hiring of a new human relations director and elementary school principal.

The school board on Monday approved Eberto Mora as the district’s director of human relations and Laureano Ortiz-Sanchez as principal at Perry Elementary School.

Mora, who has served as the associate superintendent at Dundee-Crown High School since 2009, will take over from John Light, who accepted a position in Michigan. The position begins July 1 at an annual salary of $108,918. The Western Illinois graduate is a Charger through and through.

Previously, Mora was the assistant principal, dean of students, English as a Second Language and bilingual teacher at Dundee-Crown High School. Mora began his career in District 300 in 1998 as a student teacher, also at Dundee-Crown High School. Mora earned a master’s degree from Aurora University.

Colleen O’Keefe, the district’s chief legal counsel, said Mora is “very ready to accept the challenge.”

“He is enthusiastic, a problem solver and a great leader,” O’Keefe said. “He does what he says and leads by example. Dundee-Crown will be sad to see him go, but at central office, we are very enthusiastic to gain him. I know he will be an asset throughout the district.”

Mora, 36, said the position will enable him to continue to develop the skills and knowledge he has acquired from mentors across the district.

“I am very much looking forward to providing the educational support that is needed in order for us to continue our forward progress,” Mora said.

Ortiz-Sanchez will succeed Craig Zieleniewski, who was recently named as principal at Gilberts Elementary School. Most recently, Ortiz-Sanchez served as assistant principal at Barbour Language Academy in the Rockford School District. Ortiz-Sanchez, 30, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College and a master’s degree from National Louis University, also served as middle school assistant principal and a dual language kindergarten and first-grade teacher, all in the Rockford School District. Ortiz-Sanchez spent four years in the Rockford school district and was a manager at Walgreens before that.

Shelley Nacke, assistant superintendent of education services, said colleagues described Ortiz-Sanchez as a self-starter and friendly but firm.

“He is well respected by students, parents and staff in the Rockford District who are disappointed to see him go but know that he deserves this incredible opportunity,” Nacke said.

The position begins July 1, and Ortiz-Sanchez will receive an annual salary of $88,509.

Apart from meeting the students and their families, Ortiz-Sanchez said he is excited to continue the strong academic tradition at Perry.

“We need to make sure we are educating every child at the best of our ability,” Ortiz-Sanchez said.

New: Hires part of reshuffling in district