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U-46 Community Mourns the Loss of Assistant Superintendent Ron Raglin
It is with profound sadness that we share that School District U-46 Assistant Superintendent of Educational Support Programs and Alignment Ronald Raglin passed away Monday, August 26. CEO Tony Sanders shared the news with the U-46 staff late Monday night.
“Ron is more than just a cabinet member serving our students for more than seven years,” Mr. Sanders wrote. “He is, and always will be, my friend and your friend.”
He continued: “Now is not the time to remind you of Ron’s biography. I’d rather remind you of his exceptional heart. His love for his wife, Tena. For his children and grandchildren. His love of this district and all our beautiful learners. His passion for ensuring that ‘All Means All’ is not just three words, but a calling that we strive for every day.”
Mr. Raglin, whose career in public education spanned 35 years, had a far-reaching impact on our staff, students and community since joining our District seven years ago. In his role, he oversaw the District’s AVID College Readiness System, led the District’s equity and mentoring initiatives, and was heavily involved with the Alignment Collaborative for Education, a group which helps organize community leaders and resources in support of the District’s priorities. He said the role was his “dream job.” He served on a variety of advisory groups including the Interfaith Advisory Council and the African-American Advisory Council and developed deep connections with people across our 11 communities.
Mr. Raglin and his family moved from Chicago to Elgin within a couple years of joining the District and he was well known for supporting and celebrating our community. But he was perhaps best known for his compassionate heart, ready smile and laugh, and his gifted ability to make every person he met feel special.
Earlier this year, the City of Elgin awarded the 2019 Dr. King Humanitarian Award to Mr. Raglin for being a fervent champion on issues surrounding equity throughout the community. He also strengthened the District’s ties with many community partners to support student success.
Mr. Raglin grew up on Chicago’s South Side, attending William Shakespeare Elementary School and Martin Luther King High School. He spent 18 years as an instructor in middle and high schools in the San Joaquin Central Valley of California, teaching English, math, government and economics, and AVID, as well as coaching students’ basketball and soccer teams.
Mr. Raglin and his wife, Tena, also a teacher, returned to Chicago in 2002 to assist then-CEO Arne Duncan in the administration of the Chicago Public Schools system.
Mr. and Mrs. Raglin have been married for more than 35 years. He is also survived by two adult children, Matthew and Marissa, three grandchildren, Amira, Jayden, and Eliana, and his extended family of friends and colleagues in California, Chicago, and Elgin.