New principal named for Friendship Jr. High in Des Plaines

A new principal has been named for Friendship Junior High School in Des Plaines, when current Principal Jane Paterala retires in June. The Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 school board has hired Jodi Megerle, who has been a principal in north suburban Round Lake for three years. She will start July 1. Megerle has been a special-education teacher in Libertyville District 70 and Warren Township District 121 and a middle school assistant principal in Barrington Unit District 220. She has a bachelor's degree in special education, a master's from Northern Illinois University and at present is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from NIU. District 59 Superintendent Art Fessler welcomes Megerle, saying, "We are looking forward to partnering with Mrs. Megerle and the staff, students and parents of Friendship Jr. High, as we work together to prepare our students to be successful for life."