Lake Zurich middle school looks within for new principal

Mark Richter, assistant principal at Lake Zurich Middle School North, will move into the principal's office July 1.

He will replace current Principal Nate Carter, who is taking a principal position in Northbrook-Glenview School District 30.

"I'm very, very excited and I'm kind of proud and pleased to be able to continue serving the school," Richter said.

He started at Middle School North six years ago as a language arts teacher, and has been the assistant principal there for the last three years.

Richter said he will be able to get a running start because he is already familiar with the faculty and community. While looking to expand on his work in the past three years, he aims to rise up to meet the financial challenges facing Lake Zurich Unit District 95.

"The challenge will be to continue to meet students' needs as well as we have in the past with limited resources," he said.

As part of the district's $4 million in recommended budget cuts, Richter said, Middle School North is set to lose a guidance counselor and some faculty members. He said this will put a strain on the remaining faculty to make up for the losses.

The budget cuts are being made in anticipation of a shortfall in revenue due to a drop in the Consumer Price Index from 4.1 percent to 0.1 percent. The index determines the increase the district can request in the property tax levy.

Richter said he hopes to stay as connected to the students as he can with his new responsibilities.

"I hope, it's a goal that I minimize the time that I lose with students," he said.