The Oswego School District 308 Board of Education on Tuesday hired Belvidere High School Principal Dr. Todd Martens as principal of Oswego East High School (OEHS) for the 2014-15 school year.
Martens replaces Dr. Louis Lee, who will leave District 308 to become an assistant superintendent in the Indian Prairie School District.
“Dr. Martens is the right candidate to carry OEHS toward the district goal of being world class,” said Dr. John Sparlin, the district’s assistant superintendent for administrative services.
As principal at OEHS, Martens’ number-one goal will be student achievement, the district said in a press release, adding that Martens recognizes that to improve student achievement, all parties need to work together.
“I want students, staff, and faculty to be better off tomorrow than they are today,” Martens said. “I’m looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone in this great organization.”
Martens began his career in education in 2000 as a science teacher at South Beloit High School in Wisconsin. From 2002 to 2006, he worked as dean of students and athletic director for South Beloit. He then served as principal for South Beloit Junior High and Blackhawk Elementary School, which are adjoined in the same building, from 2006 through 2008.
In 2008, Martens became the associate principal for Belvidere High School, where he worked for two years before being named principal in 2010, a position he held until recently.
Martens received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in general education and his master’s and doctorate degrees in educational administration from National Louis University in Chicago.
Martens will meet staff and students and work with outgoing Principal Dr. Louis Lee to ensure a seamless transition over the coming weeks.
Martens begins work with District 308 at a total salary of $135,000.
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