Several administrative moves expected in Libertyville Elementary District 70
Regular classes are out for summer, but there has been a flurry of activity involving administrative personnel in Libertyville Elementary District 70.
Approved or expected actions will result in a new director of curriculum and instruction for the five-school district, new principals at Copeland Manor and Adler Park elementary schools and a new assistant principal at Highland Middle School.
Erik Youngman, who had been principal for eight years at Copeland Manor, began his tenure Monday, July 1, as director of curriculum and instruction. He replaced Kathy Dinger, who left to become superintendent at a district downstate.
Youngman said there will be “an increased focus on data” to better track and understand the strengths and weaknesses of students in the areas of math and reading.
Two years ago, District 70 switched to standard-based report cards and has already aligned instruction for Common Core standards for math and English language arts.
Common Core are national learning standards that have been adopted by most states. Standards for science have just been introduced and those for social studies are expected to be released later this year.
Youngman said the traditional Illinois State Achievement Test in the 2014-15 school year will be replaced with a new test that will assess students on Common Core standards. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers is a consortium of 22 states working to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math anchored in what it takes to be ready for college and careers, Youngman said.
He will be replaced as principal at Copeland Manor by Lori Poelking, who also started July 1. For the last six years, Poelking has been principal of South Elementary School in Des Plaines District 62 and before that was an assistant principal at Westgate School in Arlington Heights District 25.
Pending changes include the replacement of popular Adler Park Principal Jon Bogie Jr. Bogie, described as “caring and compassionate” by Superintendent Guy Schumacher, recently resigned.
His replacement will be Kerri Bongle, who has been with District 70 for 12 years. She has served the past two years as assistant principal at Highland Middle School and since 2010 as director of the summer school program.
Bongle, who is expecting a child in late August, will be taking maternity leave. In her absence, Janet Brownlie, who served as principal at the school from 1988 to 2010 will return as interim principal.
Also, Lorenzo Cervantes, dean of students at Highland, is expected to be appointed assistant principal.
Job shifts involving Youngman and Poelking previously were approved by the school board. The board will consider all the other moves at a meeting July 29.