Taking with them a combined total of nearly 40 years of experience in Grayslake District 46, three district principals will begin new positions in other districts beginning July 1. Those moving on are Woodview school Principal Jeff Knapp, Park Campus Principal Craig Keer and Prairieview Principal Amanda Schoenberg.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Knapp. "I’ve been with the district 13 years, since right out of college. However, my new position as principal of Rockland School in Libertyville will give me an opportunity to continue to grow professionally. I’m very thankful to all the parents, staff and children who have been so supportive over the years.”
Nadia Shams, D46 parent and reading assistant, said Knapp would be missed.
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“We’re very, very sad to see Mr. Knapp go," she said. "He built this school up. It’s like a family unit."
Prairieview’s Schoenberg will become assistant superintendent of learning at District 13 in Bloomingdale, Ill.
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Schoenberg said the controversies within the D46 school board were not a factor in her decision to leave. “I started the process in December of last year and it was approved in February, so that was not a factor," she said. "I knew that I wanted to move into district level administration and this was the right opportunity for me. I have been in D46 for 15 years and it has been a very rewarding experience.”
Parent Stephanie Arnopolin spoke highly of Schoenberg as she waited to pick her son up on the last day of school Friday. “The special touches Dr. Schoenberg has done are very obvious at this school,” she said. “As a prior teacher it was very hard to think of someone other than me teaching my child. In retrospect, I could not have asked for anything more from Dr. Schoenberg or Prairieview.”
Park Campus’s Keer, of Buffalo Grove, looks forward to his new responsibilities and hopes the shorter commute will enable him to spend more time with his family.
“My new position at Indian Trail in Highland Park will provide me with additional opportunities for professional development,” said Keer who has been with D46 for 11 years. “Like the families I work with, I would like to work closer to home and have more time with my family.”
In addition to professional development opportunities, all three likely will earn more money. According to Salary.com, school principals in Highland Park and Libertyville average about $20,000 more per year than those in Grayslake. Assistant superintendents, as Schoenberg will be, can earn in the six-figure range.
Like Schoenberg, both Knapp and Keer indicated that controversies surrounding the district had not affected their ability to lead their schools.
"The focus is always on the kids. The vision and mission doesn't change for us at Woodview," said Knapp.
“We continue to move forward. We have a student-centered community at Park, and Vince Murray and I are fiercely proud of what has been accomplished there since we opened four years ago,” said Keer.
Murray has been assistant principal at Park and will replace Schoenberg as principal at Prairieview.
