Round Lake schools' new technology boss brings Fortune 500 experience

Round Lake Area Unit District 116's new technology boss plans to use skills he honed at a Fortune 500 company to benefit students and teachers.

Dejan Kozic, 45, of Wadsworth, is in his second week as District 116's director of technology. He joined the district after a 17-year career as an executive with Walgreen Co., where he had a hand in a number of the company's technology initiatives.

"Over those 17 years, I wore a number of hats," Kozic said Monday. "I was blessed and fortunate to have a number of roles at Walgreens."

Among his accomplishments was leading a team to convert Walgreens from a traditional drugstore to a retailer providing health care and daily living items to consumers. In addition, Kozic received U.S. patents for inventions related to pharmacy operations at the Deerfield-based company.

Now he wants to apply his corporate knowledge in assisting educators and students at District 116.

"I can't think of a better place to bring my talent and my skills," Kozic said.

District 116 school board members hired Kozic last week. Superintendent Constance Collins said the district was fortunate to land him.

"Like other school districts, there is a great need to be strategic in planning current and future technology needs," Collins said. "Dejan brings a wealth of experience to the district and I am confident that he will take our staff and students to a new level, which will lead to raising student achievement."

School board President Kevin Daniels said the timing is right for Kozic to become part of District 116's administration.

"We are in the process of building our five-year strategic plan," Daniels said, "and are looking forward to the talents and experiences that Dejan brings to the table."

Kozic has been touring District 116's buildings to get a better understanding of the state of each school's technology.

He said has some general ideas on what he may pursue, based on his corporate experience. One possibility is having an incubation laboratory where students can work on technology ideas that would help the whole school system and not cost much money.

"One of the things we learned (at Walgreens) is we always want to go to the folks invested in the solution," Kozic said.

Kozic, who replaces former technology head Scott Andraschko, will receive $120,540 over the next year. District 116 had been without a technology director for about six months.