The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education at its May 18 meeting confirmed the appointment of Lisa Halverson as principal of Jefferson School, effective July 1. She is replacing Leslye Lapping, who is retiring on June 30.
Jefferson is District 64’s early childhood center, which features several blended classrooms where students with special needs and community students attend preschool together. Jefferson staff members also provide developmental screening services for young children through the District’s early childhood diagnostic team. The center houses a paid, extended day kindergarten program as well.
Halverson comes to District 64 from Hinsdale School District 181, where she served for four years as pupil service administrator and also directed its early childhood program. Previously, she served for seven years in Skokie School District 69 as principal of an early childhood grades preK-2 school. In addition, she served as principal for four years in a grades K-8 school in Lindop School District 92 in Broadview. She began her career as a school psychologist, special education coordinator and assistant principal in the Aspen, Colorado school district.
“Ms. Halverson impressed us immediately by her collaborative leadership style and clear, child-centered focus, which we believe is critical in working with our youngest students, particularly those with special needs, and the highly specialized staff members who teach them,” according to Superintendent Laurie Heinz.
“Her experience in transitioning students successfully from early child interventions to school-based services, her past success in creating meaningful report cards for parents that span a two-year development continuum, and her expertise in curriculum implementation and professional development will make her a great match for Jefferson parents and staff alike,” she added.
Halverson holds a bachelor’s degree from Luther College and a master’s from the University of Northern Colorado. She received her administrative training at the University of Denver.
Dr. Heinz selected Halverson from an initial pool of 38 candidates through a multi-step process, which culminated in finalist interviews with a team of District 64 administrators and Jefferson staff members.