PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS Learna J. Brewer-Baker, interim principal at Austin High, becomes contract principal. … Michael Winston, former Fernwood assistant principal, is the new principal at Fulton. He replaces Deborah Edwards, who is now at Piccolo … Ida C. Stewart, interim principal at Carver Middle School, becomes contract principal. … Bessie Karvelas, former administrative coordinator at Kelly High, is the new principal at Von Humboldt. She replaces Christ Kalamatas, who retired this summer … Mary R. Ravid will continue as principal at O. A. Thorp.
PRINCIPAL RETIREMENTS Fred Kravarik, Marquette; Olga R. Saunders, Pershing; Theresa B. Smith, Hearst. Jacqueline J. BuFord-Gage is acting principal at Hearst.
MOVING IN/ON Leslie B. Lipschultz, former president of the Highland Park District 108 Board of Education, and later, a top state legislative aide, has been named education and tax policy manager for the Metropolitan Planning Council. Lipschultz will coordinate Network 21: Quality Schools and Stronger Communities, a civic coalition working to reform the financing and accountability of Illinois’ public schools. … Cindy S. Moelis is the new director of education initiatives at Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI). She previously was a program officer for the Steans Family Foundation. Moelis succeeds Jeanne Nowaczewski, who is now the CPS director of small schools. … Blondean Davis, chief CPS officer for schools and regions from 1997 to 2001, is now a St. Xavier University associate professor in the education department. She is teaching five graduate-level courses covering the social context of schools and education administration.
UNION NEWS Thomas Reece, recently defeated in his bid for re-election as president of the Chicago Teachers Union, has retired as president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He is succeeded by James F. Dougherty, former Niles North High School biology teacher. Dougherty was a teacher for 36 years and president of the North Suburban Teachers Union for 21 years; he has been involved in IFT committees since 1981.
AT CLARK STREET Cynthia Greenleaf, former senior advisor for the School Partners Program, joins Alyson Cooke, a central office newcomer, as co-executive directors of a new unit, External Resources and Partnerships; they will work with the non-profit and philanthropic communities. Greenleaf is the wife of Jonathan Fanton, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. … The special leave of absence for Rudy J. Lubov has been extended one year to allow her to continue working with the Illinois State Board of Education as an educator-in-residence. … Shelia C. Riley, contracts investigations unit case manager, becomes the director. … Andres Durbak, associate director of Safety and Security, is now director. … Ana Espinoza, interim curriculum, instruction and professional development officer, is now the permanent officer. … Lynette Fu, former executive assistant to the chief accountability officer, is now grants monitor and support officer for the chief education officer. … John Harnedy, manager of equal educational opportunity programs, is now its director. … William McGowan, former assistant to the deputy superintendent for schools and regions, is now chief management support officer. … Ronald Whitmore, executive director of research and curriculum of the Office of Language, Cultural and Early Childhood Education, is now early childhood education officer.