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Haugan Misses Maine West, But Looks Forward To New Life In Oregon


Maine West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan hugs a Maine West graduate on the Rosemont Theater stage during the school’s Class of 2018 commencement ceremony May 20, 2018. (Tom Wessell/Journal photo)

Former longtime Maine West High School principal Audrey Haugan has taken on a new role — far from Des Plaines — as principal of Redmond High School in Redmond, OR.

Haugan told the Journal & Topics it took about two weeks after her retirement from Maine West to know she wasn’t ready to fully leave her career in education. Before taking the new role in Redmond, she served as interim principal in two Catholic schools in Chicago. 

“I’m glad she’s here,” said Redmond School Dist. Supt. Michael D. McIntosh. He said he is relieved by Haugan’s commitment to stick with the school, as it has gone through a number of principals in the past years.

“Staff is excited to have someone who will stay,” he told the Journal & Topics.

Redmond is a town of around 30,000 near Bend, OR, east of the Cascade mountain range. McIntosh said it is a mostly rural community, and is known for having a number of resorts and golf courses.

“There’s a lot of dirt roads,” said McIntosh. “It’s a great place to be.”

“It’s so beautiful,” said Haugan, who was a lifelong Chicago-area resident, of her new home. “It’s much more relaxed here.”

Redmond High School — one of three schools offering high school courses in the district — has around 1,000 students, according to McIntosh. In addition to administrative turnover, the school has recently struggled with low graduation rates, he said.

“They don’t seem to get enough credits,” McIntosh added.

During the process to find a new principal, he said Haugan was “head and shoulders” above the rest of the applicants. Her experience and communication skills made her stand out, he explained. Compared to three other candidates who were part of a community meeting, people flocked to Haugan, he told the Journal.

“The kids came up to me the next day and said ‘we choose her,’” McIntosh said. “Audrey just exudes confidence, because of her competence.”

Since her first official day, July 1, McIntosh said Haugan has already been busy. She has hired around eight to 10 other new employees, including a science teacher, a physical education teacher, a football coach and a baseball coach. She was also expected to participate in administrative retreat for Redmond School Dist. personnel Tuesday (Aug. 6). 

“It’s been a nice, easy transition so far,” Haugan said. 

Haugan retired from Maine West at the end of the 2017-2018 school year, two years before the end of her most recent contract, which ran from 2016-2020 and included a base pay of $155,756 as well as 2.5 percent annual increases. She served as the top administrator at the school for 13 years.

Overall, Haugan’s 33-year career in education has included positions at Guerin Prep, in DuPage High School Dist. 88 and 29 years in Maine Township High School Dist. 207.

Upon her retirement from Dist. 207, Haugan received approximately $16,677 for unused vacation time. Dist. 207 also paid the Teachers Retirement System of the State of Illinois, which helps arrange retirement pensions and benefits, $92,250 to purchase two years of employment from Guerin Prep, which allowed her to retire early.

Dave Urbanek, director of communications for the Teacher’s Retirement System for the State of Illinois, said Haugan is officially retired, according to their records.

“If a TRS member does officially ‘retire’ and is collecting a pension, there is nothing in state law preventing that person from keeping their pension and taking a job with a school district in another state,” Urbanek told the Journal & Topics. “In addition, there is nothing in law that prevents them from keeping their pension and taking a job with a private school or a college or university in Illinois or another state.”

As principal of Redmond High School, Haugan is earning an annual salary of $125,000 to start.  

McIntosh said Haugan is living with family in Redmond while searching for a home.

In addition to family from Oregon, Haugan said the move has also taken her closer to her daughter, who recently moved to California.

“I miss Maine West and the students there, but I’m excited to start this new adventure,” she said.

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