First a new contract for teachers and now, a new superintendent.

Tonight's meeting was the first for Julie Morris as Harlem Schools Superintendent. She was appointed by the school board after it voted to remove Pat Deluca. Spirits were high following the meeting, and that includes those of Superintendent Morris, who got to spend part of her first meeting congratulating Illinois Teacher of The Year Ruth Meissen. She says she's optimistic about the coming year and has high hopes for Harlem administration.

Before her appointment as superintendent, Morris served as Assistant Superintedent for Instructional Services.

Former superintentent Pat Deluca has been reassigned to special projects...but there's no word yet on what those projects may be. Board members say the decision to remove him was mutual and it had nothing to do with a no-confidence vote in Deluca from district teachers during August's strike.