As the District 35 school board concluded their June 3 meeting, they did so with palpable emotion as they bid a formal goodbye to West School Principal David Rongey.
District officials praised Rongey who is retiring after a 21-year career with the district. He served as the West School principal since 2006.
“I can confidently say that every child who has passed through the walls at West School has felt special and unique because of you,” District 35 board president Kelly Glauberman said.
In recognition of his efforts, district officials named the West school garden after Rongey.
Rongey delivered a brief speech thanking the community stakeholders and acknowledging the difficult circumstances of the pandemic-dominated school year.
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“This has been a fantastic job to have, to be working in this district,” he said.
The new West School principal will be Erica Zuhr, a 15-year District 35 veteran, who most recently worked as the school’s instructional technology specialist.
In a letter sent to the community earlier this year, District 35 Superintendent Catherine Wang noted the attributes she sees in Zuhr.
“Her communication skills, dedication to cultivating exemplary instructional environments, and knowledge of best practices in education will be an asset to all stakeholders of Glencoe Schools,” Wang wrote.
Wang also mentioned that Zuhr is the co-owner of a children’s theatre program.
“Such experiences, coupled with her leadership in technology and innovation,” Wang wrote. “Are well matched to address our strategic priorities at West School.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter.