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District 161 hires assistant principal for Western Avenue Elementary

The Flossmoor School Board on Monday approved the hiring of an assistant principal for Western Avenue Elementary. Jacqueline Renko, who is currently an English language learners teacher and bilingual coordinator for District 161, will be stepping into the administrative role.
 

The Flossmoor School Board on Monday approved the hiring of an assistant principal for Western Avenue Elementary. 
 
Jacqueline Renko, who is currently an English language learners teacher and bilingual coordinator for District 161, will be stepping into the administrative role.
 
  Jacqueline Renko
 

She will work alongside Western Avenue principal Gina Isabelli, who is also a newly hired administrator this school year.
 

Renko will be the only assistant principal at the elementary level in the district. 
The need for an assistant principal at Western was sparked by an increase in the school’s student enrollment.
 
The school took on an assistant principal previously when enrollment passed 450 students, and currently the number stands at 481.
 
Board members approved budgeting a $75,000 annual salary for the position based on the rise in enrollment during a Sept. 9 meeting.
 
Renko has worked in the district since 2014, and she held positions serving dual language and bilingual students prior to her career in Flossmoor, according to a district press release.
 
Renko attended Monday’s board meeting and offered tearful words of gratitude to the district, school board and Flossmoor community for her new position.
 
“To Mrs. Isabelli, the Western staff, students and parents, I am so ready to join your pack,” she said.
 
She also thanked her husband and sons for their “unwavering love and support.”
 
Superintendent Dana Smith said Renko’s enthusiasm to start in her new role is evidence of what a good fit she will be for the school.
 
“As you can see, she brings the type of emotion and care that we need for our children that we want to treat like our very own,” Smith said.
 
Renko also stated in the press release that her five years of experience in District 161 have given her a strong understanding of the district’s structures and the opportunity to build relationships with parents, staff and administration.
 

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