District 211 chief named 'Superintendent of Distinction'

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 Superintendent Dan Cates has been named the 2018 Superintendent of Distinction by his colleagues in the North Cook Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators.

Cates was honored at an awards luncheon Tuesday in Springfield.

State Superintendent Tony Smith was the featured speaker at the luncheon, where 21 IASA regional Superintendents of Distinction were honored.

"I am humbled to be recognized for our work on behalf of students in the District 211 community," Cates said in a written statement. "Each day as superintendent holds the opportunity to push oneself to make meaningful change in the direction of our students' lives and I am grateful for this privilege and responsibility."

Cates has been an educator for 26 years, serving as school psychologist, director of special education, associate superintendent and now as superintendent for the past four years.

Those nominating Cates made special note of his many accomplishments during his tenure, including boosting enrollment for students in dual college-credit and Advanced Placement courses, leading a comprehensive community engagement initiative resulting in a detailed five-year strategic plan, and managing district resources to become debt-free while delivering more than $50 million in facility improvements.