New Principals Announced for CL South, Prairie Ridge High Schools

The Community High School District 155 Board of Education approved Scott Shepard and Dr. Steven Koch as the new principals for Crystal Lake South High School and respectively.

The appointments follow the February announcement that current principals Marsha Potthoff, at CL South, and Paul Humpa, at Prairie Ridge, will move into new positions for the 2013-2014 school year.

The changes become effective on July 1, according to District 155 spokesperson Jeff Puma. 

District 155 conducted a national search that yielded nearly 80 qualified applicants for the principal positions. The extensive interview process included interviews with employees, parents and students, District 155 Board president Ted Wagner said.

Scott Shepard

Scott Shepard currently works for Marengo Community High School District 154, where he has served as principal of Marengo High School since 2008.

While at Marengo, Shepard has overseen curricular enhancements such as adding new AP courses, implemented a one-to-one digital learning environment, created student improvement programs, and focused on enhancing a culture of inclusion. Under his leadership, the school has implemented student engagement efforts and seen consistent student achievement growth, Puma said.

These efforts earned Marengo High School rankings of 61st and 1,956th in Illinois and the nation, respectively, on the recently released U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list. Shepard has 13 years of principal experience including eight years as a principal in Nebraska.

“I am very excited to work with South’s students, staff, and parents to identify the school’s strengths and traditions, so that we can work together to help students recognize their full potential” Shepard said.

Shepard also is the Illinois Principals Association 2013 Kishwaukee Region Principal of the Year and was a nominee for the IPA Illinois High School Principal of the Year, according to Puma.

“The culture and expectations Scott fostered at Marengo High School matches closely with those held by Crystal Lake South’s employees, students, and parents,” stated Wagner. “He will continue the culture of inclusion and help the school move closer to our student goals.”

Dr. Steven Koch

Dr. Steven Koch will return to Prairie Ridge High School, the school at which he began his career in 2001 as an English teacher.

Since then, he has served as Prairie Ridge’s English department chair (2005-2008). Currently, Dr. Koch is District 155’s director of staff development.

Additionally, he redesigned the mentoring and faculty induction program, allowing new faculty members to more successfully begin their teaching careers. Koch serves as an adjunct professor in the Northern Illinois University graduate school of education, and he has presented at or been published in several education industry conferences and publications, Puma said.

Marsha Potthoff and Paul Humpa, Crystal Lake South’s and Prairie Ridge’s current principals, have accepted new positions with District 155. Potthoff will serve as coordinator of grant management and educational services, and Humpa will return to the classroom to teach mathematics.

“Over the past decade, our students have been fortunate to attend schools led by Paul and Marsha,” said Dr. Johnnie Thomas, District 155’s superintendent.

“We are confident that their enthusiasm and passion for our students will continue to have a positive impact on our schools. Scott and Steve have the vision and leadership skills to build off this legacy and lead our schools and students to further growth.”