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Ravenswood Local School Council Begins Search for New Principal

By Patty Wetli | July 15, 2013 10:39am
 The next principal of Ravenswood Elementary will be expected to support the school's emphasis on arts programming.
The next principal of Ravenswood Elementary will be expected to support the school's emphasis on arts programming.
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Ravenswood School

RAVENSWOOD — Following the resignation of Ravenswood Elementary Principal Heather Connolly last week, the local school council now begins searching for a replacement.

In the meantime, Chicago Public Schools will appoint an interim principal by Aug. 1, according to an email sent to parents by LSC president Greg Janes.

A Principal Selection Committee will be formed to lead the search. Janes outlined the process, which will include interviews and site visits to candidates' current schools.

Once the committee has settled on finalists, the LSC will host a public forum, allowing members of the Ravenswood community to question and assess the contenders. Members of the LSC will cast the ultimate vote for the new principal.

"This process will be time consuming and may be difficult," said Janes. "I hope to make sure the process is open and inclusive and the person selected will have the support of the entire Ravenswood community."

Mary Lubben, Ravenswood LSC community representative, said she's confident the school will attract a top candidate.

Among the qualifications the LSC is likely to seek, according to Lubben: an individual who buys into the inquiry-based learning models Connolly promoted and one who will continue to support the growth of the school's arts programming.

"The Ravenswood LSC is committed to finding a principal who shares the educational philosophies and values, and will build on [Connolly's] great work," said Lubben.

Wendy Vazquez, co-chairwoman of Friends of Ravenswood School — the elementary's fundraising arm — expressed surprise, but not shock, at Connolly's decision to accept a position with a school district in her home state of Iowa.

"She's leaving for all the right reasons," Vazquez said of Connolly's decision to focus on her immediate and extended family.

"In a relatively short period of time, she assembled an amazing group of teachers and helped build an extremely strong community," said Vazquez.

"Personally, I'll miss Heather terribly. But as a fellow Iowan, I understand the pull of home."