School District U-46 Board of Education President Donna Smith is praising recently signed legislation that allows the board to appoint a Chief Executive Officer to serve as its top leader.

The state law will give the U-46 Board of Education the option of hiring a CEO to lead the state’s second-largest school district without having to also hire a superintendent.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the legislation, Senate Bill 242, late last week. The bill was sponsored in the House by Reps. Anna Moeller and Fred Crespo and in the Senate by Sens. Michael Noland and Andy Manar.

“This law gives our board increased flexibility to choose the very best leader to serve our large, diverse school district,” Smith said. “We are grateful that our legislators and the governor worked to give our students and community as many options as possible while still maintaining a high bar for experience and credentials.”

The law requires a CEO to demonstrate strong administrative abilities and proven management experience. It also specifies that he or she must hold a master’s degree and have been employed with the school district for a minimum of five years in an administrative capacity, be responsible for the management of the district, and have all other powers and duties of a superintendent.

Public Act O99-0846 only exempts a CEO for the district from meeting required superintendent qualifications, as outlined in the Illinois School Code, for five years. The law outlines criteria, including placement in three counties and population distinct to School District U-46, and becomes effective June 1, 2017.

About School District U-46

School District U-46 serves more than 40,000 students from 11 communities across Kane, Cook, and DuPage counties. With 40 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools, U-46 ranks as the second-largest district in Illinois. Its mission is to be a great place for all students to learn, all teachers to teach, and all employees to work. For more information, visit the U-46 website and Facebook page.