After a roughly two-month search, the New Trier Board of Education approved Paul Waechtler as their Northfield Campus' new principal Tuesday night. The board also voted to approve Linda Knier as the new director of academic services.
"It's incredible. In the short time that Paul's been around the connection he's made on campus has been great," said District 203 Supt. Linda Yonke during the meeting. Yonke added that the board was also "thrilled" to tap Knier, who has taught modern and classical languages for 10 years, to lead academic services.
Waechtler started at New Trier as a physics teacher in 2000, eventually becoming Northfield's assistant principal in 2009.
In a statement released in conjunction with the meeting, Yonke said that Waechtler "brings excellent instructional leadership skills to the district."
Roughly 120 applications were reviewed and then narrowed down to 10 candidates by a 17-member committee comprised of staff, parents and board members, according to Yonke.
Afterward, three finalists were selected for full-day interviews on the Northfield and Winnetka campuses.
"I was so excited when I found out," Waechtler told Patch. "I love New Trier and I'm happy to serve the community in this new way."
Waechtler will replace Jan Borja, who has served as Northfield principal since 2001, when the facility was reopened as a freshman-only campus. Borja, who has worked with New Trier for 40 years, is retiring this summer.
"Jan is amazing and she leaves behind big shoes to fill," Waechtler said.
Meanwhile, Knier will succeed Debra Stacey, who also is retiring at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.
Waechtler and Knier both will officially assume their new positions July 1.
Jeni Spinney