Prospect Heights District 23 names new superintendent

Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 is promoting from within for its new superintendent, officials said Thursday.

Assistant Superintendent Don Angelaccio will take over the top district post upon the June retirement of Deb Wilson, who has been in the position since 2012.

Wilson, too, was assistant superintendent before the school board promoted her to oversee all district operations.

"We do generally try to look within when we're filling a position," said board President Mari-Lynn Peters. "If we don't see someone or no one applies, we do a larger search. Deb was a wonderful assistant superintendent as well. We're lucky this has happened twice."

Angelaccio has held the assistant post for four years, during which he's overseen implementation of the district's 1:1 technology initiative, providing iPads for students in grades 4-8. He's also been responsible for curriculum changes and professional development activities for teachers, officials say.

Angelaccio came to District 23 from Lincoln Middle School in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57, where he was principal for eight years. Before that, he was assistant principal at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest for three years. He started his career as a social worker at Highland Middle School in Libertyville in 1994 and was athletic director there from 1999 to 2001.

"District 23 is an amazing place and we all look forward to the continued growth and success of our students," Angelaccio said in a news release. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead and learn in this community."

Under the terms of a four-year contract approved by the board Wednesday night, Angelaccio will be paid a base annual salary of $199,000. He will be eligible for raises each year, based on the consumer price index and his annual performance review with the board, with the maximum raise 6 percent. He is currently paid a base of $140,201 per year.

Wilson was due to retire in 2018 but moved up her retirement date to June 30.

She was hired by District 23 in the late 1980s as a program assistant in special education, then did student teaching before becoming an eighth-grade math and science teacher and assistant principal. She left to become a principal in Vernon Hills, then returned to take a principal job. She later became assistant superintendent. She is now making a base salary of $197,417 per year.

Also Thursday, the district announced the retirement of Steve Lee as MacArthur Middle School principal at the end of the school year.

Lee and Angelaccio's replacements are expected to be named in February.

The district serves Prospect Heights and areas of Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect.