Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 today announced that it would appoint a veteran, former principal to an interim post at Washington School to replace Kim Nasshan, who is leaving District 64.  Nasshan has been selected as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Lincolnwood School District 74 in Lincolnwood effective July 1.

“We are very proud of Ms. Nasshan’s accomplishments here in District 64 over the past eight years as Washington’s principal, and are pleased that she will have the opportunity to move up into a district-level leadership role as the next step in her career,” according to Superintendent Philip Bender.  “She was a resourceful and highly effective instructional leader, who created a caring school culture focusing on the whole child and who nurtured high student learning by developing close connections with staff, parents and children,” Dr. Bender stated.  “On a broader level, she also contributed significantly to the District’s Strategic Plan initially by leading a community action team to help prepare the way for changes stemming from other parts of the plan, and later, by co-leading a strategy committee designing ways for students to set personal goals for their own learning,” he added.

To fill the position on an interim basis, District 64 has tapped retired Field School Principal Kathy Creely to return part-time for the 2012-13 year. Creely was Field Principal for 11 years until her retirement in 2011.  “We believe that Ms. Creely’s deep background in this community and her understanding of District 64’s educational goals will provide steady leadership working with the new assistant principal, staff and parents to make this a positive year of opportunities and growth for Washington students,” Dr. Bender added.

Earlier this spring, District 64 announced that Washington’s Assistant Principal Dan Ophus had been selected to become Principal of Fairview Elementary School in Mount Prospect District 57.  The screening and interview process for Ophus’ replacement is well underway, and a candidate is expected to be brought to the Board for approval at the July 9 meeting, Dr. Bender noted.

Because of these unique circumstances, Dr. Bender said that the search process for Washington’s permanent principal would begin in early 2013.  “This schedule will allow plenty of time for input and participation by parents, staff, administrators and Board of Education members as we traditionally do in District 64,” he added.  “We are thankful for Ms. Creely’s willingness to rejoin us on a limited basis, as it allows us to take time to identify an outstanding new principal for Washington early next spring when planning gets underway for the 2013-14 school year,” Dr. Bender explained.

A back-to-school welcome reception will be scheduled in mid-August for Washington families and staff to meet Mrs. Creely and the new assistant principal.