Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administrative Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Rockford principal announces retirement; board approves six administrative appointments
Summary
Principal Lisa Weidenfeller announced her retirement; the board accepted her retirement and approved six administrative hires including a new high school principal, assistant principals and a controller.
The Rockford Public Schools board accepted the retirement of North Rockford Middle School Principal Lisa Weidenfeller and approved a slate of administrative appointments the district presented at the July meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Wilson Crawford introduced the recommendations and described the slate as a realignment of the district’s administrative team. The board unanimously approved the retirement and the recommendations.
Lisa Weidenfeller, who told the board she began work in the district in 2003 and served as principal at North Rockford Middle School for 19 years, thanked board members, district staff and families for support. "There is absolutely no other place I would rather work than Rockford Public Schools. So thank you so much," she said.
The board approved the following administrative recommendations that the superintendent presented: - Kayla Garza — recommended for the new controller position in the business office (coming from Granville Public Schools; about six years in education finance). - Ricky Clark — recommended as principal of Rockford High School (previously an assistant principal at Rockford High School). - Chelsea Cates — recommended as assistant principal at Rockford High School (previously served as the high school’s behavioral coach). - Al Reichert — recommended as principal of North Rockford Middle School (previously assistant principal at the same building). - Nick Davis — recommended as assistant principal at the Freshman Center. - Jody Fish — recommended as assistant food service director (appointment to be announced in person at a future meeting).
Dr. Wilson Crawford said the district had intentionally restructured positions, including creation of a controller role to replace a vacant director of finance position. The superintendent asked the board to approve the recommendations; the motion carried on a voice vote with board members saying "Aye." The transcript records the approvals as voice votes with each item passing.
Board members and parents in attendance praised Weidenfeller’s leadership. In his remarks, a parent and chaperone, Miguel Quintanilla, highlighted the principal’s work on the Spanish immersion trip and commended the district staff who chaperoned that trip.
The district indicated the approved hires are expected to begin work ahead of the 2025–26 school year.
