HYDE PARK — Toni Hill, the principal of Pershing East Elementary School, will start as Ray Elementary’s interim principal on Monday.
Hill replaces Tatia Beckwith, who was removed from Ray on April 5 with no warning to parents or teachers. CPS officials said Beckwith was reassigned, but have repeatedly declined to provide a reason.
Hill’s appointment was announced at Thursday evening’s local school council meeting, and former Ray Principal Cydney Fields will assist Hill during her first two weeks at the 5631 S. Kimbark Ave. school.
Hill was unavailable for comment Friday.
Hill joined Pershing East, a kindergarten through third grade school in the Douglas community, in 2005. CPS plans to consolidate Pershing East with Pershing West.
Prior to joining Pershing East in 2005, Hill was principal in residence at John Spry Community School through the New Leaders for New Schools program. She has also taught second, third, fifth, seventh and eighth grades at CPS schools.
Tony Campbell will serve as Hill’s assistant principal. Campbell replaces Jeffrey Alstadt, who was also removed from Ray on April 5.
Campbell was the director of gifted and talented programs since 2008 in the Huntley, Ill., school district. She will also start at Ray on Monday.
Campbell has taught first, second, fifth and sixth grades in Fresno, Calif. and Huntley, and has two master’s degrees in education.
It is unclear how long Hill will serve at Ray. She was appointed to fill out the remainder of Beckwith’s contract and could serve through July 2015.
Parents and others in the Ray community will have a chance to meet Hill and Campbell at 9 a.m. Tuesday for an informal meet-and-greet.
