CHAMPAIGN – Geovanny Ponce will start in July as the new superintendent for Champaign Unit 4 School District. On Monday, the school board approved three more members of his cabinet.
Christinia Wehde-Roddiger will become the chief student support officer. Ponce said she has improved outcomes for underserved students in the Houston Independent School District.
“She expanded access to advanced placement, dual credit and early college opportunity. She’s recognized for building equitable systems,” Ponce said.
The other two hires Monday hailed from Carbondale and Chicago’s south suburbs.
Carbondale Community High School District #165 Chief School Business Official Ray Toliver Jr. will take on the same role at Unit 4. Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233 Director of Communications Carla Phelan-Erdey will take over as Unit 4’s chief communications officer.
The board was split 5-2 for each vote, with five members voting in favor and Grace Kang and Justin Michael Hendrix abstaining. Kang said she did not approve of a blanket salary of $220,000 for each hire, regardless of years of experience. Hendrix had specific concerns about experience or salary for each candidate.
The board approved four other cabinet appointees on April 27.
Ponce has only rehired one current cabinet member, Interim Superintendent Dan Casillas.
Chyna Figueroa-Dixon is a Unit 4 parent. She says current Assistant Superintendent of Equity Angela Ward was the dean of students when she was in school at Unit 4. She read Ward’s resume and listed the degrees she has earned.
“She is now being moved out of her seat. How disgusting and ridiculous. What does she need on her resume that’s not enough?” Figeroa-Dixon asked. “What is your issue with Black women in power?”
The school board voted out the previous superintendent, Shelia Boozer, a year ago. Those in favor said they wanted better transparency and communication. Those opposed said she was being targeted as a Black woman.