In the next two school years, the elementary schools will have assistant principals and instructional “coaches” for students. Additionally, Isaac Fox will have a new principal next year.

After ten years, Jill Brooks, Isaac Fox’s current principal, will be retiring. On February 13, the Board of Education chose Lisa Gregoire, assistant principal at North Elementary School in Crystal Lake District 47, to be her replacement.

In addition to her experience in Crystal Lake, Gregoire was the assistant principal at a school in Houston, Texas. She has also taught 4th grade math, science, and language arts in Houston, Dallas, and Garland, Texas, according to the District website.

“We had a strong pool of candidates with solid backgrounds in curriculum and instruction. Ms. Gregoire has that knowledge, as well as the administrative experience to work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents to continue the tradition of academic excellence at Isaac Fox, ” said Mike Egan, superintendent, on the District website.

In addition to the new Isaac Fox principal, the district is hiring new assistant principals for all the elementary schools. This decision was the result of five year financial plan presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting on January 16.

“Due to the increasing demands on building principals, the administration is recommending the addition of an elementary assistant principal position for the 2014-15 school year. The State of Illinois’ new evaluation system for certified staff should provide a benefit to students and staff,” Julia Becich, director of human resources, said. “The new system standards require between principals to devote 5-8 hours per staff member evaluation resulting in between five to seven individual meetings with each staff member being evaluated. Assistant principals would be able to assume the facilitation of the following which is currently the sole responsibility of the principal.”

As of right now, no one has been hired for any of the assistant principal positions.

“The elementary principals will work with the central office administrators in interviewing the candidates,” Becich said. “Superintendent Dr. Egan will have the final decision on hiring and placement of the assistant principals in each building,”