Maine Township District 207 names next superintendent

A veteran suburban educator and administrator has been hired as Maine Township High School District 207’s next superintendent.

Tatiana Bonuma, currently the deputy superintendent in Franklin Park-based Leyden High School District 212, got the job after a national search, officials announced Wednesday morning. She’ll start July 1, 2024.

Bonuma will succeed Ken Wallace, who is retiring after 14 years in the post -- longer than anyone else in the district’s 121-year history.

The District 207 board approved a three-year contract for Bonuma during a special meeting Wednesday morning at its headquarters in Park Ridge. Her name had been kept private until then.

Bonuma will collect a base $275,000 salary her first year, according to a District 207 news release.

She said she’s honored to join the District 207 administration.

“As we embark on this journey together, I want to express my deep commitment to our students, staff, parents, and the entire community,” Bonuma said in the release. “Together, let us continue to elevate our district, empower our students and create a safe, inclusive learning environment."

Bonuma has been Leyden’s deputy superintendent since 2019. She previously served as assistant principal and then principal at West Leyden High School in Northlake and in a variety of administrative roles at Grayslake North Community High School, York Community High School in Elmhurst and Larkin High School in Elgin.

Bonuma began her teaching career in 1995 as a Spanish teacher at Larkin. She also taught at Canton Middle School in Streamwood.

In the news release, board President Carla Owen called Bonuma "an experienced and well-rounded educator and administrator who has excelled throughout her career in various leadership roles.“

Bonuma was one of 17 applicants chosen by SchoolExecConnect, an Oak Park search firm, for initial interviews. From that group, seven candidates were interviewed by school board members in late November and early December, according to the district.

Three finalists were interviewed Dec. 2 by a panel of students, parents, staffers and board members.

A celebratory reception is planned for 5 p.m. Jan. 8, before the school board’s next meeting. Both events will be at Maine South High, 1111 S. Dee Road, Park Ridge.

Additional opportunities to meet Bonuma will be scheduled, officials said.