New Principal Hired for Chelsea Intermediate School

At its regular Board meeting on April 18, 2018, the Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education took action to hire Doug Wernet as the new Principal of Chelsea Intermediate School effective July 1, 2018. He will replace Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote who has accepted a position as Principal of Wagoner Elementary School in Community Consolidated School District 168 in Sauk Village.

Mr. Wernet was selected from a field of over 70 highly qualified applicants. Part of the extensive selection process included a survey and meetings with staff members, parents and members of the community. This input was vital to the decision. District 157-C Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni also conducted a site visit at his current district, Wilmette School District 39, and met with many teachers, the principal and the superintendent to experience his work environment and learn more about him from his colleagues and superiors.

Dr. Zinni stated, “During the site visit, I met with staff one-on-one, some who Mr. Wernet chose and some who were randomly chosen. Each person talked very comfortably about Doug’s level of support for staff, his positive interactions with students, his patient and thoughtful style when making improvements, and his ability to motivate staff. Many of the veteran staff stated that Doug has been the best administrator they have worked with in the district.”

Mr. Wernet has an outstanding résumé that includes extensive experience in regular and special education settings. As the Assistant Principal and grade level administrator for seventh grade at Wilmette Junior High School in Wilmette his position includes collaborating with teacher teams to best reach the needs of a high-performing student population. He utilizes his strength in instructional leadership to empower teachers to meet student growth goals through risk-taking with innovative classroom instruction, a passion for continued learning and collaboration centered on meeting the needs of the whole child. He also manages all 504 Education plans while acting as an advocate for students with disabilities to ensure best instructional plans are identified and implemented.

Dr. Zinni continued, “During Mr. Wernet’s thorough and rigorous interview process, it was evident that he has a deep understanding of instruction, knows the importance of collaboration, values the work of teachers and parents, and is genuinely a caring person who puts students first.”

Mr. Wernet’s past employment includes serving as the Interim Assistant Principal at Central Middle School in Tinley Park after five years as a reading and language arts teacher in multiple grades at Central. While there, he worked with a diverse population of students while overseeing building curriculum and instruction and student discipline in his administrative role. An important component to his experience includes being part of the creation of common formative and summative assessments, a 1:1 technology initiative, the implementation of an online learning management system, standards-based reporting and professional learning communities.

Mr. Wernet earned a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University and a Master of Science Degree in Education in K-12 Reading Specialist from Olivet Nazarene University. He also holds Teacher Certification from Trinity Christian College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa.

Board of Education President Gina Briese stated, “The Board of Education is excited to welcome Mr. Wernet to 157-C. We look forward to working with him and hope he encounters a smooth transition into his new role.”

Mr. Wernet said that he views the principal position at Chelsea as a dream opportunity to pursue his passion for learning, leadership and working with students. He stated, "I am honored to join Frankfort School District 157-C to serve the students, staff and families of Chelsea Intermediate School. I am excited to meet the school community to build relationships and learn about and support all that is happening within Chelsea to create engaging experiences for students."

Parents, school staff and the community are invited to a “Meet the New Principals” event to introduce Mr. Wernet and spend time with Grand Prairie Assistant Principal Kirsten Frankovich, promoted to Principal of Grand Prairie Elementary School, and Barb Shanahan, who has been a first grade teacher and instructional coach in the district and promoted to Assistant Principal, both effective with the 2018-2019 school year. Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Will Seidelmann will also be on hand to share his excitement about working with both of them to continue the “Tradition of Excellence” in District 157-C.

The “Meet the New Principals” event will be held on May 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the courtyard/multi-purpose area at Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 W. Nebraska Street in Frankfort. Everyone is welcome to attend. Later this summer there will also be opportunities for District families to meet with these administrators again during the “Back to School” events.