Lake Park bringing campuses under one principal

Lake Park High School opened the 2015-16 school year with tremendous excitement and momentum.

With a focus on the future of District 108, the board of education unanimously approved recommendations for administrative restructuring, effective during the 2016-17 school year. The district evaluated these decisions based upon upcoming retirements and in the interest of strengthening our "We Are One" philosophy - fostering one culture that bridges our two campuses in Roselle.

At the conclusion of the school year last spring, West Campus Principal Janet Constien announced that she will retire in June 2016. Constien and East Campus Principal Jim Roberts have effectively served as building principals for the past eight years. Given Constien's planned retirement, as well as a long history of discussions regarding a one-principal administrative model, Lake Park decided the timing was right to move in this direction for next school year.

In addition to a single principal, two of the current assistant principal positions will be renamed as associate principals with additional responsibilities.

The administrative team spent considerable time investigating the single-principal model and specifically looked at the structure of Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, which is also a single high school with a freshman/sophomore campus and a junior/senior campus.

In addition to reviewing the campus administrative structure, we also considered changes to the district administrative structure. For the past four years, I have executed the combined roles of superintendent and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Given the discussions focusing on both short- and long-term planning, Lake Park is re-establishing the position of assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

An additional change at the district level involves Director of Operations and Maintenance Bob Ungaro, who also is retiring at the end of this fiscal year. Lake Park will not replace this position effective in 2016-17, but rather Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Jeff O'Connell will assume these responsibilities, with increased support from the East Campus and West Campus building managers.

The board of education unanimously approved the following recommendations related to administrative restructuring effective for 2016-17:

• Jim Roberts, current East Campus principal, was named assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction;

• John Gouriotis, current East Campus assistant principal, was named Lake Park High School principal;

• Tim Noverini, current West Campus assistant principal, was named West Campus associate principal; and

• Jessica Foster, current math department curriculum leader, was named East Campus associate principal.

The opportunity to promote educational leaders from within the organization reflects a high level of confidence and continues to shape an important culture of familiarity.

As bittersweet as it is to lose two of our very best through retirement, the Lake Park school community looks forward to the changes in the campus and district administrative teams and working with visionary colleagues.

The remainder of this school year will be an important time of transition that is built on a foundation of embracing our philosophy: We Are One!

• Dr. Lynne Panega is superintendent of Lake Park High School District 108. Her column appears monthly in Neighbor during the school year.