Schools

Prairie Crossing Charter School Director Announces Resignation

Another administrative shake-up for Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake.

Prairie Crossing Charter School Executive Director Nigel Whittington has announced his resignation, effective at the end of the school year.

Whittington, who got his teaching degree from Oxford, England and taught in the United States for 24 years, joined Prairie Crossing in July 2010. His resignation, which was sent as an e-mail to parents on Monday, comes just short of a year after principal Brian Green was dismissed in a shroud of secrecy that angered many parents.

In his e-mail, Whittington, who did not respond to Patch for further comment, said he was announcing his resignation early enough to give the board of directors time to reflect on school's progress during his tenure and allow time to asses future leadership needs.

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"I continue to be committed to working on the broad goals of the Strategic Plan. Our top priority remains educating our students and supporting those who teach and mentor the students on a daily basis. I know there is a strong administrative team in place to coach and guide that constituency as well as a solid infrastructure that will continue to support teaching and learning. 

Throughout this academic year, we will continue to grow our relationship with the new Charter School Commission, partner with organizations that recognize the school as a leader in education, and raise the profile of the school at the state and national levels. The Sustainable School Yard and Prairie Pedal are projects that are intended to increase local support and raise the profile of the school within our local community and I plan to champion those causes. In the coming months there is much to be done; I remain dedicated to achieving the goals we have set out to accomplish."

Find out what's happening in Grayslakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

PCCS Board President Steve Achtemeier said the board next meets on Dec. 18, and at that time will discuss the timeline for posting and filling the vacancy. The goal is to have postings out by mid-January, if possible, he said.

Ideally, said Achtemeier, the new executive director will be in place before Whittington leaves at the end of school year so he can share his school vision and initiatives with his successor, to make the transition a smoother one.

"Nigel's leadership, vision, and dedication will be missed, but I know that the administration and the staff will continue providing the outstanding educational experience that the PCCS community enjoys," Achtemeier told Patch.

Achtemeier would not comment on why Whittington is resigning, stating, "We respect his privacy in these matters."

Prairie Crossing Principal Brian Greene Dismissed


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