LAKEVIEW — After eight years, a principal that oversaw the skyrocketing success of Nettelhorst Elementary School is stepping down July 15.
Cindy Wulbert is leaving Nettelhorst, 3252 North Broadway, to direct the Aspiring Principal Program with New Leaders, a national nonprofit that trains and mentors school leaders. New Leaders has partnered with Chicago Public Schools since 2001 to train more than 200 school leaders.
Wulbert said in a letter to the school community that she was not seeking a new position, but the New Leaders opportunity "felt right."
"This new position will allow me to help develop future leaders within CPS, something I am passionate about. I would not have been able to consider a job like this were it not for the rich set of experiences I've had at Nettelhorst," Wulbert wrote.
Since Wulbert began at Nettelhorst in 2007, the student population more than doubled, test scores improved and the school itself blossomed with the addition of an auditorium, science lab, community kitchen and athletic room.
"But Nettelhorst's work is not yet complete. External pressures such as challenging fiscal conditions are creating an environment that demands everyone's cooperation and creative solutions. Nettelhorst had already undergone significant changes when I first arrived and it has continued to develop into a vibrant learning community," Wulbert said.
The search for a new principal will begin in the fall, with Nettelhorst's Local School Council recommending Yasmeen Muhammad as the interim principal after she served the past year as the school's resident principal. Assistant Principal Melody Murphy will also remain to help manage the year's budget and plan for the start of the 2015-16 school year.
The council credited Muhammad with implementing the Stallions Ambassador program, organizing play zones for recess and providing training for lunchtime supervisors.
"The LSC had options regarding this interim time period between contract principals, but unanimously agreed that Mrs. Muhammad was the natural and best fit in terms of leading our school at this time," the council said in a statement.
The council said it will host a community forum once final candidates for the school's top job are selected.
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