Dist. 54 fills finance position

Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54 has named a new assistant superintendent for business to replace the well-loved retiring financial whiz of the district, Dr. Mohsin Dada.

Ric King, a 16-year employee of the district, will be the person to fill those shoes, effective July 1.

King was hired as the district's controller in 1995, and in 2000 also took on the director of facilities role.

Although outside candidates were interviewed for the position, Superintendent Ed Rafferty said King was the top candidate for the job.

“Ric has been an integral part of the district's financial team. He has played a part in setting some of the practices that are in place now. He was not only chosen because he knows District 54, but also because he brings the same type of character qualities as Mohsin. When people talk Ric, they talk about integrity and honesty. Those are the words you want to hear when you're talking about people in the financial world,” Rafferty said.

“To be saying goodbye is sad, but knowing (Dada) passed his legacy to Ric makes it easier,” school board vice president Charlotte Kegarise said before the vote.

King's appointment passed unanimously, followed by a cheering standing ovation.

“Mohsin has been a wonderful mentor to me. He has taught me so many things and given me so many opportunities to grow — to experience challenges, experience successes and to survive failures as well,” King said. “I have been very fortunate to work with so many people in this district,” King said after the appointment. “I don't live in this area but it's so great to be a part of it. I wish my kids were able to go here because every time I see articles from the superintendent in the Daily Herald, I just think I wish I would have had my kids go through the district here because they would have learned so much more than they have in our schools,” King said to a room of laughter.

Before joining the district in 1995, King was a manager at McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, a licensed CPA firm that provides assurance services, according to its website.

King's role there included auditing and consulting with school districts, local government entities, manufacturers and contractors, his resume states.

King has a master's degree in education administration from Governors State University, a bachelor's in accounting from Illinois State University and a Chief School Business Official Endorsement from the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board.