CENTRAL OFFICE Controller Andrew Gilchrist has retired; Daryl Okrzesik, deputy controller, has been appointed acting controller. … Thomas Doyle, director of human resources, has retired; Ascencion Juarez, director of compensation and employee relations, has been appointed acting director. … Norma Tsuhako, secretary of the Board of trustees, has retired; Sharon Revollo, assistant secretary, succeeds her. … Estela Beltran, secretary to the chief of staff, has been appointed assistant secretary. … Rhonda Johnson, assistant to Board President Gery Chico, is now the assistant to Chief Education Officer Cozette Buckney. … Dorothy Aguirre, a manager of Citywide Education Programs, is now director of GED Programs. … Richard Koeller, chief information officer for Nissan Motor Corp., has been appointed chief information officer; he will oversee a $20 million computer software contract and an upgrade of the school system’s financial, student and personnel information systems, plus ensure that schools are properly wired for the Internet. Salary: $175,000.
PRINCIPALS RETIRING Philip Yaccino, Mozart; James Sanders, Webster; Vera Stevenson, Bridge; Johnnie Mae Newton, Burke; Rita Mitchell, Carter; Constance Martin, Tanner; Cecelia James, Spalding Elementary and High School; Maurice Haynes, Copernicus; Julius Gore, Kershaw; Almeda Feimster, Ruggles.
‘CALSC OK’ The Chicago Association of Local School Councils will continue its operations despite having as much as $150,000 tied up in the now-tangled finances of the Latino Institute, says director Sheila Castillo. “We are intent on meeting our obligations to our members and to our funders.” CALSC was in the process of severing its financial ties with the Latino Institute when the Institute laid off its staff and announced it was in financial distress in early August. The $150,000 figure is “an estimate” of what the Institute owes the Association, she says, adding that the Institute’s board is conducting an audit and has given assurances that it will meet its obligations to CALSC. Latino Institute Board President Angela Perez Miller could not be reached for comment.
DESIGNS FOR CHANGE CHANGES Executive Director Donald Moore has received a Chicago Community Trust fellowship (up to $100,000) to develop credit and degree-granting programs for parent and community activists who focus on schools. The goal is to create a supply of people for community service jobs and long-term commitments to education issues. Associate Director Joan Slay has retired and is now a consultant to the organization. Lowry Taylor, formerly with ACORN and the Rogers Park Community Action Network, has joined the staff as an organizer with its Schools First program.
MOVING IN/ON Researcher BetsAnn Smith has left the Consortium on Chicago School Research to become an assistant professor of educational administration at Michigan State University. … Working in the Schools (WITS) Executive Director Matt Pickering has joined the school system to coordinate the Principal for a Day Follow-up Program. Mary Ellen Guest, executive director of the EVEREN Foundation and a WITS volunteer, is WITS’ new executive director.
TEACHER RECRUITMENT The Chicago Public Schools is turning to the Internet to recruit new teachers from across the nation. Applications can be made online at www.trichicago.com. Teacher candidates can also receive help from a Help Desk, (312) 742-0393.