27-year New Trier educator Peter Tragos picked as school’s next superintendent

Dr. Peter Tragos will be New Trier High School’s next superintendent, the district’s School Board announced Monday evening, Nov. 18.

While a nationwide search was conducted to find the district’s next leader, it turned out the board’s unanimous choice was already sitting at their table.

Tragos, the current assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, is in his 27th year at New Trier. He was previously a social studies teacher, adviser and New Trier Education Association president before joining the administrative team as the assistant principal for the Northfield campus in 2013.

He’s been assistant superintendent since 2017 and will take over his new position on July 1, 2025.

“I’m deeply humbled by your comments and the trust you’ve placed in me to steward this extraordinary school district,” Tragos told board members shortly after his appointment was announced. “I’m also humbled and grateful to be New Trier’s next superintendent, following a line of superintendents that have maintained the district’s history of excellence while adapting the institution to the needs of each generation of students and families.”

Tragos’ appointment to superintendent continues New Trier’s trend of promoting from within to its top position. Dr. Paul Sally and Dr. Linda Yonke, New Trier’s two superintendents since 2006, were both assistant superintendents before their promotions.

The board of education approved a three-year superintendent contract for Tragos with an annual salary of $315,000 and benefits package that includes insurance coverage, 14 paid sick days per year, five paid weeks (or 25 days) of vacation a year and a $600 monthly transportation allowance.

Tragos’ base salary is a slight increase (0.5%) on Sally’s final salary of $313,259 and a 41% increase on Tragos’ salary as asst. superintendent ($223,374), according to the district’s compensation report.

According to public documents, annual base salaries for superintendents of neighboring public high school districts include: approximately $302,000 for Dr. Charles Johns with Glenbrook District 225; $287,750 for Marcus Campbell at Evanston Township High School; $300,000 for Dr. Chala Holland with Township High School District 113 (2024 hire; Highland Park and Deerfield high schools), $307,395 for Tom Moore of Niles District 219 and $299,922 for Eric Twadell at Stevenson High School.

Tragos’ contract, including financial compensation, is subject to an annual review by the School Board that is based on performance goals, such as student performance and academic achievement.

Tragos said after the announcement that being superintendent is not a “one-person job,” and he looks forward to collaborating with other members of the school community.

“I’m excited to work together with all stakeholders to achieve the vision of the strategic plan and chart a course beyond 2030,” Tragos said, referring to New Trier 2030, the district’s strategic plan.

During the meeting, Tragos also thanked Superintendent Sally, whom Tragos will succeed following Sally’s retirement.

“I look forward to working closely with you and the whole administrative team to ensure a smooth and successful transition,” he said.

Tragos concluded his statement by saying, “It is a privilege to be in this district. I am eager to begin working together … to deliver the highest-quality experience to every student every day.”

Board President Jean Hahn said Tragos stood out among the field of candidates in multiple ways, calling him “a lifelong learner, compassionate educator and dedicated servant leader. He truly embodies the values professed in the New Trier motto.”

She also praised his work in his previous roles at New Trier and his current role as assistant superintendent.

“In each of these roles, Dr. Tragos not only honed his mastery of teaching and learning but also his authentic passion for students and teachers,” Hahn said. “A key member of our highly successful senior leadership team, Dr. Tragos has played an integral role in the implementation of several initiatives under the district’s long-range strategic plan, New Trier 2030.”

Among those highlighted by Hahn were developing the Characteristics of a New Trier Graduate, creating the civil discourse and critical thinking statement, expanding professional development opportunities, and leading the district’s efforts at thinking of future programming for students.

She also praised his partnerships with national organizations and becoming a voice in “conversations about the most crucial issues facing public education, how to bridge divides, adapt to demands of a rapidly-changing workplace and reimagine a brighter, fruitful future for our children.”

Sally also praised Tragos.

“Peter is an innovative thinker who has pushed us to consider how to prepare students, not just for college or a career, but for a fast-changing world that values collaboration, critical thinking, flexibility, respect for differences, civic responsibility and civil discourse,” Sally said.

Prior to coming to New Trier in 1998, Tragos taught at Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago. He has a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric, speech communication and history from Drake University; a master’s degree in education and history from DePaul University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and administration from National Louis University.

Tragos is a Northfield resident whose wife, Karen, and daughters Isabel, Olivia and Fiona are all NTHS alumnae.

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