District 214 Appoints Interim Head of Human Resources and Interim Prospect Principal

                  During last night's meeting, the Township High School District 214 Board of Education unanimously approved Prospect High School Principal Kurt Laakso's appointment to interim associate superintendent for human resources and Prospect's Associate Principal Michelle Dowling's appointment to interim principal at Prospect High School. The appointments take effect immediately as both begin transitioning to their new leadership roles. Laakso replaces Todd Colvin who resigned recently due to personal reasons.

            "I am very pleased that Principal Laakso has agreed to serve as the interim associate superintendent for human resources," said Superintendent David R. Schuler. "He has done an incredible job as principal of Prospect High School, and I look forward to him joining our district office administrative team."

            Laakso joined District 214 as the English and fine arts division head at Elk Grove High School in 2000. He has served as Prospect's principal for the past six years.

            "It is with a mixture of emotion and excitement that I accept this new position," said Laakso. "It has been my honor and privilege to represent Prospect High School, and this new role will allow me to serve the schools, staff, and students across District 214. I will do whatever I can to ensure that the programs and personnel within the district continue to empower young people by helping them to become the engaged, capable, and compassionate citizens that our nation and our world need them to be."

            Born and raised in Mt. Prospect, Dowling assumed her current position at Prospect High School on the same day six years ago that Laakso began as principal.

            "Associate Principal Dowling has demonstrated that she has the skills necessary to be a very effective principal," said Superintendent Schuler. "Prospect is in very capable hands with Interim Principal Dowling."

            Dowling's entire educational career has been in District 214. She taught social science at Buffalo Grove High School for 18 years and served as social science/foreign language/ESL division head at John Hersey High School for five years before joining Prospect in 2007.

            "I feel humbled and honored to step into this new role as interim principal," said Dowling. "There have been many amazing accomplishments and achievements over the past several years, and I look forward to renewing our commitment to excellence."