Cary District 26 hires administrators for growing junior high
The Cary Elementary District 26 board has named a pair of assistant principals for the expanding Cary Junior High School campus.
Board members voted 4-2 Monday to hire Sara Elfering and Eric Larson to the positions. The newest hires replace an assistant principal who took a position at with another district and an administrative spot that became available with the closure of the Prairie Hill School.
Members Chris Jenner and Julie Jette cast dissenting votes.
Board President Christopher Spoerl said the district discussed eliminating an administrative position but ultimately retained the role to provide more leadership at the junior high where administrators were stretched thin.
“These folks have direct contact with the students, as well as teachers and parents,” Spoerl said. “It’s not like it is another payroll person. This is more front line.”
Cary Junior High Principal Linda Goeglein said the new hires’ duties will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school from curriculum to discipline.
“They will be involved in every aspect of the school operations,” Goeglein said. “We are overcapacity at the school and they will provide support for teachers in curriculum and instruction, and work with students and parents.”
The junior high is now over capacity with the introduction of the sixth grade to the building. The additional 300 students were transplanted with the closure of Prairie Hill in the spring.
Goeglein said both assistant principals are experienced in teaching grades six through eight and have proven leadership abilities. The pair beat a field of more than 100 candidates for the positions.
Elfering was most recently a middle school language arts teacher in Hawthorn District 73, where she taught for eight years. She also served as the gifted coordinator.
Meanwhile, Larson most recently taught seventh and eighth grade math at Aptakisic Junior High in Buffalo Grove.
“I am very excited to get them on board and they are excited to start,” Goeglein said.