With the retirement of Elmwood Elementary School Principal Sue Ponzio to go into effect at the end of the school year the school district is taking steps to find a replacement.
With Elmwood Elementary School’s principal retiring at the end of the school year, the school district is taking steps to find a replacement.
Sue Ponzio, the outgoing principal at Elmwood School, has worked in Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 for almost 20 years. Though she’s been principal for the last eight years, she started as a teacher in the district. Her presence as principal could be seen outside the school as well, because she also lived in the school district.
District 401 Superintendent Kevin Anderson said the district accepted applications for Ponzio’s position from December through Jan. 23.
Anderson said they’ve narrowed the candidates down to six who are being interviewed. There will be three rounds of interviews to narrow down candidates.
The six applicants will first be interviewed by a group of teachers and principals from the school district. From there, the field will be narrowed to two or three candidates.
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That group will be interviewed by a team of teachers and parents, who will narrow the field of candidates to two if there are three candidates. Anderson and the school district’s assistant superintendent will select the final candidate, who will be recommended to the school board.
He said the interview process will get started next week and should take about three weeks.
“I’ll have a recommendation to the school board no later than March,” he said.
Anderson said candidates should be knowledgeable in curriculum and Common Core Standards, as well as up to date on the latest reading and math strategies.
“The person should have good experience evaluating other staff members,” he said.
He said the new hire’s salary will be based on their experience. Once approved, the new hire will likely start July 20, when all principals in the district have to report to their respective schools in the district.
Anderson said Ponzio’s presence and contribution to the school district will be missed.
“She’s done a very good job for Elmwood [School],” he said. “We’ll miss her.”