WEST RIDGE — A principal and assistant principal currently heading schools in Chicago are hoping to become the next leader at Mather High School in West Ridge.
The school's principal job has been open since the fall when long-time Principal Chris Jones left his alma mater to pursue another job outside Illinois.
Now up for the role are Damir Ara, assistant principal at Lane Tech College Prep High School and Peter Auffant, principal at James Shields Middle School.
The pair will meet parents, students and community members for an open forum as part of the Local School Council's principal selection process from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the school, 5835 N. Lincoln Ave.
Ara is also a Mather alum, having come to the school in 1994 from Bosnia and graduated in 1997.
He speaks four languages, holds master's degrees in both secondary education and school administration, is currently pursuing a doctorate and has been at Lane Tech for 14 years, focusing on a mix between technology and the arts, he said.
Auffant earned two master's degrees as well: one in instruction and curriculum and the other educational leadership. He's served as principal at Shields Middle School for the past five years and is fluent in Spanish.
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