WEST RIDGE — After eight years as Principal at Clinton Elementary School in West Ridge, Eduardo Cesario will take on a new role as head of a regional network of schools for Chicago Public Schools.
"Any good leader, you don't look for today, you look for tomorrow and beyond that," Cesario told DNAinfo in July 2015 after CPS budget cuts.
Recently he said he has been "very busy in my new role as I prepare for the next school year."
Cesario is taking over for Phil Salemi, who will now serve as Deputy Chief of Strategy and Planning.
His replacement as interim Principal is Maureen Delgado, an assistant principal and former teacher who has spent over 20 years at Clinton, 6110 N. Fairfield Ave.
"She is fabulous," said Debi Price, a representative for the school.
In June, Cesario was identified by CPS for the Independent Schools Principal Program which gives high-performing principals more flexibility and autonomy in running their schools — including exemption from oversight by network chiefs.
Prince wasn't sure Thursday if Clinton's designation still stood with Cesario's departure.
Prince said although Cesario would no longer be principal, she felt confident the school would move forward in a positive direction.
"Clinton is successful because of the strong and smart leadership," Prince said. "Even though Eduardo is promoted he will still be chief of ... Clinton's network."
Cesario, Prince, Delgado and others have worked hard in recent years to turn Clinton, a school with a diverse population that includes many immigrant families, around from CPS' lowest academic rating to its highest.
Through various partnerships with community organizations, neighbors and parents, the "community and parent support has grow[n]" into something "extremely strong," Prince said.
Before school starts, Clinton will hold a Back to School Bash from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 2 at the school.
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