Maercker Official Picked; Concerns At Current Job

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Elisa Maldonado was named this week as the new principal at Holmes Primary School in Clarendon Hills. She is leaving her current job amid apparent concerns.

Maldonado is the principal at Plano Middle School in suburban Plano, where she is to work through June 30, when her contract expires.

Her contract at Holmes, which is part of Maercker School District 60, starts the next day.

Maldonado has 14 years of school leadership experience in Illinois and Minnesota.

"We believe Ms. Maldonado brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to student success that will benefit the Holmes Primary School community," Maercker's superintendent, Sean Nugent, said in an email to Patch.

On April 23, Plano's school district sent a message to parents saying they may be aware that Maldonado and Assistant Principal Ben Williams were resigning effective June 30.

"As a result of ongoing concerns from parents and students about communication and transparency, the district administration has developed a plan to support students and parents for the remainder of the school year," Superintendent Tracy Thurwanger and two other officials said in the statement.

The message listed five district officials whom parents could contact. The district's central office is next door to the middle school.

Maldonado and Williams started last year at the middle school. Before that, they held the same roles at Autumn Creek Elementary School in Yorkville's school district.

In response to a Patch inquiry, Maldonado said she transitioned from a "successful principalship" in Yorkville to Plano Middle School.

During her time at Plano Middle School, she said, the school earned redesignation as an Illinois "School to Watch," reflecting the strong efforts of students, staff and the broader school community.

"After thoughtful consideration, I chose to pursue new professional opportunities aligned with my long-term goals," Maldonado said.

She said she submitted her resignation Feb. 27 and that the board formally approved it in March.

"I appreciate the opportunity I had to work alongside the dedicated team at Plano Middle School and am grateful for the support of the school community," she said in an email.

In an interview, Nugent, Maercker's superintendent, said the district spoke directly with Maldonado's references and that her supervisors in Plano and Yorkville gave her "glowing" recommendations.

About the Plano situation, Nugent said not every job is a good fit.

"Sometimes you come into a job, and there's a disconnect," he said.

In a later email, Nugent added, "It’s important to note that educators – like professionals in many fields – may leave a position for a variety of reasons, including the pursuit of new challenges, alignment with personal and professional goals, or the desire for a better organizational fit."

Maldonado is going to a larger school. Nearly 500 students attend Holmes, more than Plano Middle's 338, according to last year's enrollment numbers.