Board approves Todd Rolling as District 21 director of safety and security effective July 1

The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Thursday approved an employment agreement to hire Todd Rolling as the district's director of safety and security, effective July 1, 2025.

Superintendent Dr. Connelly recommended Rolling after a competitive search and said Rolling's background includes eight years as safety director for District 300 and a career with the Illinois State Police, from which he retired as an area commander at the rank of captain.

"When I first met with the superintendent and Mike, I knew this was gonna be my home," Rolling said at the meeting. He told the board he sees the role as encompassing social-emotional safety and operational security and emphasized chronic absenteeism reduction through improved student safety.

The board motion to approve the employment agreement carried without recorded opposition. Roll-call votes in the meeting transcript recorded the following responses when the motion passed: Bill (aye), Carrie (yes), Jessica (yes), Arlen (aye), Debbie (yes), Ileana (yes). The motion was seconded; mover name was not specified on the record.

Dr. Connelly said the candidate rose to the top of a strong pool because of his combined experience in physical security, threat assessment and coordination with student services and MTSS work.

Rolling will begin in the role July 1, and the district said he will lead work that spans facility security, risk assessments, coordination with law enforcement and integration with social-emotional supports for students and staff.

There was no public vote required beyond board approval; the board recessed into closed session after routine new-business items.