Joliet Public Schools District 86 Announces New Principals

Four new principals have been named in Joliet Public Schools District 86. Chris Latting will serve as principal of Gompers Junior High School, Kathleen Prado at Marycrest Early Childhood Center, Megan Pritz at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, and Dr. Jamie Max has been named principal of Isaac Singleton Elementary School.

“We look forward to their leadership and the positive impact they will make at these schools.” said Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86.

Chris Latting returns to Joliet Public Schools District 86 after spending the past six years as a junior high school principal in Evanston-Skokie School District 65. Previously, he spent 14 years in Joliet Public Schools District 86, serving in a variety of roles, including teacher, assistant principal, and principal at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and Isaac Singleton Elementary School. Mr. Latting holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and master's degrees from Olivet Nazarene University and the American College of Education.

Kathleen Prado joins Joliet District 86 with 32 years of experience in education. For the past three years, she served as a principal in Crete-Monee School District 201-U. Prior to that, Mrs. Prado spent 12 years in Evergreen Park School District 124 and 20 years in Matteson School District 162, where she served as director of curriculum and instruction, interim principal, intervention coordinator, and second-grade teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in educational administration and curriculum and instruction from Governors State University. In addition, Mrs. Prado serves as an adjunct instructor at Governors State University.

Megan Pritz has been a lifelong supporter of Joliet Public Schools District 86 and is a proud graduate of the school district. As a student, she attended Farragut Elementary School and graduated from Dirksen Junior High School and Joliet Central High School. Over the past 16 years, Ms. Pritz has served District 86 in a variety of roles, including special education teacher, academic advisor, and assistant principal. Ms. Pritz joins Sandburg from Sator Sanchez Elementary School, where she served as assistant principal for the past four years. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Lewis University.

Dr. Jamie Max has served in District 86 since 2023, holding leadership roles as assistant principal at Sator Sanchez Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School before being appointed as principal of Isaac Singleton Elementary School. Prior to joining Joliet District 86, Dr. Max served as Director of Human Resources and Public Relations for Community Unit School District 201 in Westmont. He also held principal positions in Community Unit School District 308 in Oswego, and at The Rose Academies in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Max holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree from Rutgers University, as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Aurora University.

In addition, former Pershing Elementary School principal Carrie Busse will take over the principal leadership role at Edna Keith Elementary School, Melissa Crosby moved from principal at Marycrest Early Childhood Center to principal at Pershing Elementary School, and Eisenhower Academy Principal Nicole Bottigliero will also oversee the academy program at Washington Junior High School.