West Chicago High School principal promoted to superintendent
After 12 years leading West Chicago High School, Principal Moses Cheng will now lead the district.
By a 7-0 vote Tuesday night, the school board promoted Cheng to the top post to replace retiring Superintendent Doug Domeracki, who announced in mid-October that he will step down at the end of June after six years in charge.
Cheng was the lone candidate considered for the position. He will take the reins of the one-school district July 1.
"Dr. Cheng's 12 years of dedication and commitment to students and staff at D94, combined with his understanding of our current needs and vision for the future, make him an ideal choice for this role at this time," Board President Gary Saake said in a statement. "The board looks forward to working with Dr. Cheng as he assumes his role as a superintendent, providing us continuity of leadership as the board moves forward in the goals that bring benefit to our students and staff, and the community as a whole."
Cheng and the board have agreed to a four-year contract that would allow either side to terminate without cause after three years. Cheng will receive a $180,000 base salary in the first year.
Though some board challengers in the April 2 election have called for a new face to run the district, current board members have said Cheng brings continuity as they prepare for a second year of campus renovations. The district also is trying to rebuild relationships with faculty after narrowly avoiding a teachers strike a year ago.
Cheng has served as principal since July 2007. During the 2015-16 school year, he was named DuPage County High School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association.
He said he's "honored, humbled, and excited" to become superintendent.
"Wego has become more than just a community in which I work; it has become my second family," he said in a statement. "WCCHS is a special place with diversity that enriches the teaching and learning environment, a community that is supportive and collaborative, and a faculty and staff that is dedicated and talented.
"I look forward to partnering with the students, faculty, staff, community, and Board of District 94 so that the good things that have been happening will continue to bring about greater opportunities for learning, leading, and living for all students."
Cheng lives in North Aurora with his wife and four children. He holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as well as a master's degree in education leadership and a doctoral degree in education from Aurora University.
Cheng began his career in 1993 at West Aurora High School as a science teacher and head volleyball coach. He was promoted to dean of students in 1998 and six months later was hired as principal of Schneider Elementary School, also in District 129, where he worked for seven years. From 2005 to 2007, he served as assistant principal at Hinsdale South High School before joining District 94.