U-46 names new principals, administrators

Elgin Area School District U-46 named a slew of new principals and administrators this week.

Myrna Burgos, the former principal of Sheridan Elementary in Elgin, will move to the helm of Ontarioville Elementary in Hanover Park this fall.

Taking Burgos' place on an interim basis is Nita White, a principal in Sugar Land Texas' Fort Bend Independent School District. The "interim" title came, Superintendent Jose Torres told the school board this week, because White was hired quickly to work at the continuous learning calendar school, which began a new school year on Wednesday.

"We told her that instead of interviewing for a day, it'll be like interviewing for a whole year," he cracked wise.

White has also served as a principal in Melrose Park District 89 and assistant principal in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and a bilingual specialist in Wheaton-Warrenville Unit District 200.

Neal Siegellak, a principal from Glenview School District 34, was named principal at Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood. According to a district news release, before his time in Glenview, Siegellak served as a language teacher in Japan for three years.

Jennifer Kottmeir, an assistant principal in District 54, will be principal at Hilltop Elementary in Elgin this fall.

Kelvin Lane, a former assistant principal at Proviso West High School, was named U-46's coordinator for student discipline and education options.

Nanette Ochs, Joliet Public Schools' curriculum and resource specialist, will be U-46's new coordinator for gifted education, advanced placement, high school academies and enrichment programs.

Jennifer McDonnell, the district's new coordinator for math and science, has received several accolades in recent years, according to the release. They include the Presidential scholarship, the David Debault scholarship, and the Chicago Park District award for promoting multicultural education.

Torres remarked that he has hired McDonnell twice - first as a coordinator in Chicago Public Schools, where Torres served as a regional superintendent before coming to U-46.

"I'm always recruiting," he told the school board.