Deborah Finn Appointed Highland Park High School Principal

From District 113: On Monday, March 18, the Township High School Board of Education approved the appointment of Ms. Deborah Finn as the Highland Park High School Principal effective July 1, 2019.

Ms. Finn’s appointment follows a robust search that began last November. The District surveyed students, parents, and staff in order to determine the top characteristics for the principal of Highland Park High School. Following a thorough screening process conducted by Interim Superintendents, Dr. Ben Martindale and Dr. Linda Yonke, and Director of Human Resources, Mr. Tom Krieger, four finalists were interviewed by stakeholder committees comprised of students, parents, and staff.

“The Township High School District 113 Board of Education is honored to name Deborah Finn as the new Principal of Highland Park High School,” said Board President Elizabeth Garlovsky. “Ms. Finn was appointed by the Board last year as the Interim Principal during a time when the District was looking for leadership combined with the passion for the school and the community that made her the clear choice. A District 113 graduate, long-time resident and employee, including the former Math Department Chair of HPHS, Ms. Finn understands and embraces the unique qualities of our District and its students. She is a collaborative leader whose door is always open. Her warmth and enthusiasm are contagious; her joy in her work is a delight. We are confident that Highland Park High School and the District as a whole will continue to blossom under her guidance, and we are grateful for her leadership and vision.”

Ms. Finn is currently serving as the interim principal for Highland Park High School. Prior to this role, Ms. Finn served as the Math Department Chair at Highland Park High School since 2008. She joined District 113 in 1996 and served in several roles during her tenure, including Math Lab Supervisor at Highland Park High School, math teacher at Deerfield High School, and co-principal of the District 113 Summer School program. She was heavily involved as a committee leader, staff representative, and student activities sponsor. Ms. Finn’s extracurricular involvement included the New Teacher Program, Faculty Advisory Committee, District Advisory Committee, Grand Times Intergenerational Program, District 113 Education Foundation, Referendum Committee, and the liaison for Working Together, a community program that provides families of Highwood and Highland Park with access to cultural and recreational activities. She is a District 113 resident and proud parent of two Deerfield High School graduates.

“Being selected as the principal of Highland Park High School is truly an honor,” Ms. Finn said. “The students and staff are nothing short of exceptional and I look forward to continuing to serve such an incredible school community.”

Ms. Finn possesses a Master of Arts in Leadership and Administration from National Louis University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

“Ms. Finn has done a terrific job as the Interim Principal of Highland Park High School this past year,” said Interim Superintendents Dr. Martindale and Dr. Yonke. “We are excited that she will take on the permanent role as principal and are confident she will continue to lead Highland Park High School in a way that facilitates the development of all students to their potential.”