South Elgin High Student Wins ECC Math Contest; U-46 Announces Promotions

A student from South Elgin High School, Ethan Horton, secured first place at the Elgin Community College (ECC) 22nd Math Integration Contest held on December 5, 2023. The annual event saw Horton triumph over 61 participants, marking the highest turnout since its inception. In a new twist this year, the competition included dual-credit students from local high schools alongside ECC students, broadening the scope of participation.

Horton received a $450 Amazon gift card for his achievement, while Kyle Gilligan and Fnu Sweekar took home second and third place, earning $150 and $50 gift cards respectively. The contest has been a staple of the ECC calendar for over a decade, open to students enrolled in calculus two or higher.

Event organizer Kenneth Beynon, an assistant professor of mathematics at ECC, described the competition’s format, which consists of timed rounds where participants solve the same problem displayed on a large screen. “If they got it right, they proceeded to the next round. If they had it wrong, they got a strike. If they had three strikes, they were eliminated,” Beynon explained.

Controversy Surrounds Former Elgin City Manager’s Resignation

In a significant development for local governance, former Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall resigned from his position as town manager in Cary, North Carolina, on December 13, 2023. His departure followed a turbulent performance review in late November that raised concerns about excessive spending and a lack of transparency in financial reporting. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht cited an “unhealthy work environment” as a contributing factor to Stegall’s paid leave prior to his resignation.

Allegations against Stegall included a discretionary spending fund that reportedly grew to $1 million during his tenure. Furthermore, he faced scrutiny for approving a land purchase without town council consent. Stegall had been serving as Cary’s town manager since 2016, after leaving his position in Elgin, where he held the role from 2009 to 2016.

School District U-46 Promotes Internal Leaders

In educational news, the School District U-46 Board has announced the promotion of three administrators to key leadership roles for the 2026-27 school year. William J. Johnson, currently the executive director of high schools, will transition to assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, succeeding Brian Tennison, who is retiring.

In a notable move, Nicholas Baird, the current principal of Ellis Middle School in Elgin, has been appointed as the first principal of the new Legacy Middle School, which is under construction. Baird is a product of the U-46 school system and has dedicated his career to the district.

Additionally, Cody Papp, presently the assistant principal at Sunnydale Elementary School in Streamwood, will become principal of Illinois Park Elementary School in Elgin. Papp, who has experience as an early childhood special education teacher, will lead the school as it transitions from an early childhood center to an elementary school in the coming academic year.

These leadership changes reflect the district’s commitment to fostering talent from within, further enhancing the educational landscape in the Elgin area.