ROCK ISLAND, Illinois — The Rock Island - Milan School District now has a new role — and it's already been filled. School board officials say the deputy superintendent position is a first for the district.
The addition comes after some community concerns regarding that new position.
The school board met Tuesday night, and voted 5-2 in favor of adding the new role of deputy superintendent, which will taken up by Jeff Dase.
"The Rock Island - Milan School District had not had a deputy superintendent previously." Rock Island - Milan Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Williams said. "It's a very common position for school districts for our size, but we have not had that role previously."
Prior to his new position, Dase worked as an assistant superintendent at Decatur Public Schools.
Rock Island School officials said an annual salary of $173,000 for Dase was approved by the Board of Education, which is partially based off his experience.
"The key role for Mr. Dase, and the key role of the deputy superintendent, is to support principals day to day," Williams said. "So he will be their primary coach, teacher, etc... to make sure the change that we start at the district level is implemented at the schools."