Embattled IL School Official Lands Higher-Paid Job

SUMMIT, IL – Joe Rojek, a top Argo Community High School official who was faulted for weakening financial controls, is leaving for another job.

His new salary is set at $175,000, up $25,000 from his current job.

Rojek, Argo's assistant superintendent of finance, is becoming the chief business official for Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview District 89.

The District 89 board approved his appointment last week.

Last November, an independent investigation at Argo found that Rojek "rubber-stamped" the credit card spending of his then-boss, Superintendent William Toulios.

Toulios, who resigned shortly after the inquiry was made public, spent thousands on porn, which he hid by using certain apps, according to the investigation.

In December, the Argo board approved a resignation agreement with Rojek, letting him stay through June 30.

Under the agreement, board President Jennifer Grenier and Superintendent Brandon Cotter were to write letters of recommendation for Rojek.

For his part, Rojek agreed not to sue the school.

When allegations of Toulios' misspending came up in 2024, Rojek was asked to investigate. In a closed school board meeting, he pointed out $427 in improper credit card charges; Toulios quietly reimbursed the school.

In early 2025, Patch wrote about the superintendent's spending.

In April 2025, Toulios was placed on paid leave during an investigation by accountants and lawyers.

The inquiry identified about $35,000 in questionable spending by the superintendent. Late last year, state police confirmed they were investigating.

In addition to his Argo salary, Rojek, who started in 2022, received a nearly $30,000 annual perk without the school board's approval, according to another investigation.

Under the school board's policy, administrators not on the school's health insurance get the same annuity as teachers. That amounts to $5,250 a year – a tax-sheltered retirement benefit.

In a January 2024 email, Rojek, the assistant superintendent of finance, asked Toulios for a $28,345 annuity for himself in place of health insurance. That number was the total cost of health benefits, he said.

Rojek suggested the perk only be for assistant superintendents and no one else.

Toulios signed off on it.

In a message to Patch on Monday, Rojek said he was excited to serve the staff, families, and most importantly, the students at District 89.

"While I have appreciated my time at Argo and will continue to give my full effort through the end of this school year, I am looking forward to the new opportunities that lay ahead," he said in an email.