Oswego School District leaders have chosen John Sparlin of Plainfield as the district’s first executive director of administrative services.

On Monday, the District 308 board agreed to give incoming superintendent Matthew Wendt the ability to sign a contract with the board’s pick for that position. He did so this week, and the district announced Sparlin’s hire on Thursday.

Sparlin will step into the newly-created position on July 2, and he will oversee the human resources, student services and communications departments. He will report to Paul O’Malley, the district’s new assistant superintendent of business and finance.

The new role is intended to replace the assistant superintendent for administration position vacated by Todd Colvin. Colvin resigned in January, and his last day is Friday. Sparlin will make $126,932 per year, compared with the $165,674 drawn by Colvin.

Sparlin beat out 44 candidates for the position, found with the assistance of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Wendt said. Six finalists were interviewed, and Sparlin was Wendt’s first choice.

“This is a very good day for District 308 and we are fortunate to find such a respected educational leader to join our education family,” he said.

Sparlin has served 20 years in education. For the past two years, he’s been executive director of human resources at J. Sterling Morton School District 201 in Cicero. He was previously the principal of Romeoville High School for four years, and Humphrey Middle School in Bolingbrook for two years, and was an assistant principal at Bolingbrook High School for three years.

Sparlin holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, a master’s degree in education from Benedictine University, and a certificate of advanced study degree with a superintendent endorsement from Lewis University. He is on pace to complete his doctorate degree through Lewis University.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected for this leadership position,” Sparlin said. “I look forward to beginning my work as a collaborative member of the District 308 leadership team.”