Sam LeDeaux Named Mann Principal

assistant principal Sam LeDeaux was named as new principal of this week.

His appointment was unanimously approved at Tuesday's board meeting. He'll replace Nimisha Kumar, who announced her resignation in March after allegations surfaced that school staffers may have altered Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) forms after they were submitted by students.

Earlier:

Kumar will continue through June 30; LeDeaux, who also served as assistant principal at , takes over July 1. His one-year contract has a base salary of $100,000, school officials said. Here's the district's press release announcing LeDeaux's appointment:

During its meeting this evening, the District 97 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Sam LeDeaux as the principal of Horace Mann Elementary School. LeDeaux will be replacing Nimisha Kumar, who announced her resignation in March. He will start at Mann on July 1, 2012.

“I want to thank Nimisha for everything she has done on behalf of Mann School during the past seven years,” said Superintendent Al Roberts. “I also want to congratulate Sam on his appointment to the principal position. During his tenure here in District 97, he has exhibited the leadership qualities, student-centered approach to learning and passionate commitment to education I believe will help Mann build on its history of success.”

LeDeaux is currently serving as an assistant principal at Percy Julian Middle School. Prior to joining Julian, he was the assistant principal at Henry Wadsworth Longfellow School for a year, a K-8 technology teacher in Chicago Public Schools for three years and a third grade teacher for Community Consolidated School District 54 in Schaumburg for four years.

LeDeaux has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Knox College, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. He resides in Streamwood with his wife Michelle and son Quentin (3), and said he is excited and ready for this new opportunity.

“I am extremely pleased and proud to be a member of the District 97 family and Oak Park community,” said LeDeaux. “I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve as the instructional leader for Mann, and look forward to working together with the staff, parents/guardians and other important stakeholders to help our students thrive both in and out of the classroom.”

Parents/guardians and staff were heavily involved in the efforts to find the new principal at Mann School—just as they were during the search process to fill the same position at the middle schools. They used surveys to provide the superintendent with feedback about the qualities and characteristics they felt applicants for the position should possess. They also chose the individuals who served on the school site team. This team interviewed a pool of four candidates and played a pivotal role in LeDeaux’s selection.

“I want to thank the parents/guardians and staff members who contributed their time, effort and energy to the search for Mann’s new principal,” said Roberts. “Their participation in this process helped us find an individual who is a dedicated professional, an outstanding educator and a strong advocate for children.”

LeDeaux’s contract is for one year with a base salary of $100,000.