Rhodes School will be losing a veteran administrator this summer, a woman who’s worked at the school in River Grove for 19 years.
Debra Suhajda, who has been a principal at the elementary school since 2006, will be retiring at the end of the school year. Prior to her promotion, she had many administrative roles in the district including being the school’s assistant principal for 10 years.
Jim Prather, superintendent of the school, said the school wouldn’t have made much progress without Suhajda’s dedication.
“She made Rhodes what it is today,” he said. “She is definitely going to be missed personally and professionally.”
Suhajda said she decided to retire because of family obligations and wanting to explore other career options.
“I have five grandchildren and another on the way,” she said. “I would like to spend some time with them. I’d also like to teach at the university level.”
Although she will be moving on, she will hold on to the fond memories, including joking with her colleagues.
“I’m going to miss the students, staff and I might even miss the superintendent,” she said. “I’ll also miss the community.”
Her last day on the job will be June 30, with the new principal taking over the next day. The new principal won’t have far to travel to start the job.
More Top Picks Best High Lumen Edc Flashlights For Men
Prather said they made an internal decision to hire Brian McConnell, who is currently the assistant principal, to take over as the new principal at the school.
“I knew early on he was going to be the right fit for when Debra retires,” he said.
Suhajda agrees as well.
“I think he’s great,” she said. “We’ve been transitioning for a year and a half and it will be a smooth transition.”
McConnell appreciates the school district’s faith in him. He’s been the assistant principal at the school for the past four years and could’ve left to advance his career elsewhere, but he’s glad he’s able to stay.
“I didn’t want to leave here,” he said. “It’s a good place for me to grow as an administrator as I raise my family and grow with my Rhodes family.”
Prather said they did conduct interviews to find a new assistant principal, settling on Cindy Salas, an elementary school teacher out of Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401.
While other school administrators climb the promotion ladder by moving from one school district to another, Suhajda said she stayed so long at Rhodes School because it was a good fit.
“I liked it here,” she said. “I truly enjoyed the family atmosphere at Rhodes. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”