La Grange District 102 hires new principals

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Steve Carnes, a Highland Park elementary principal, talks over his new position as principal of Cossitt School in La Grange with Pattii Waldo, a Maine Township Special Education Cooperative administrator, who was named principal of Ogden School in La Grange. | Jane Michaels~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 26, 2012 1:58AM

New principals have been hired at Cossitt and Ogden elementary schools in La Grange, replacing top administrators at the helm who are retiring after more than a decade.

The La Grange Elementary District 102 Board approved a contract Jan. 19 for Steve Carnes, a Highland Park elementary principal, to lead Cossitt School, replacing Mary Tavegia. The board also agreed to hire Pattii Waldo, a special education cooperative administrator, as the principal of Ogden School taking over for Cynthia Boudreau, who retires June 30.

“They are amazing candidates, and we’re looking forward to working with them,” said Superintendent Warren Shillingburg.

Carnes told the board he was honored to be selected as Cossitt’s new principal.

“I’m eager to work collaboratively with the students, staff, parents and the community in enhancing the educational opportunities for all the children at Cossitt,” he said.

Waldo said she, too, was pleased to be chosen as Ogden’s new leader.

“I’m looking forward to being part of this wonderful community and getting to know all of you and looking forward to lots of learning and lots of fun.”

Carnes has served as principal of Lincoln Elementary School for 18 months in Highland Park Elementary District 112. Previously, he was an administrator in Berkeley Elementary District 87 for eight years and a fifth-grade teacher in Elgin Unit District 46.

Carnes earned a degree in elementary education from Northeastern University and a master’s and doctorate degrees in educational leadership from Aurora University.

As principal at Lincoln with 260 students, Carnes said he was proud of successfully implementing Response to Intervention programs so “all students received the support needed to reach their full potential.”

Waldo is serving as the director of professional development at the Maine Township Special Education program, a cooperative similar to the La Grange Area Department of Special Education of which District 102 is a member.

Previously, she served as a curriculum director in District 112 in Highland Park, as an elementary principal for five years in Des Plaines and as a professional development administrator and grant writer in Wisconsin.

“I’ve been on both sides of the table in special education and general education,” she said. “But my heart is really in a building principalship with kids, families and the system, and making it all work.”

The two principals each will be paid $105,000 annually in a 10-month contract, beginning July 1, Shillingburg said.