June 30, 2021

The Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 Board of Education has voted to extend a contract to Dr. Chad M. Prosen as principal of Cherokee Elementary School, effective July 1, 2021. 
Dr. Prosen, currently principal at Brook Forest Elementary School in Oak Brook, Illinois, replaces Mr. Luke Livingston, who resigned to take a principal position with Crow Island Elementary School in Winnetka’s Public School District 36.

District 67 Board members approved Prosen’s hiring at their regular June 29 meeting.

“On behalf of incoming Lake Forest Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Montgomery, I am pleased to recommend to the District 67 Board of Education Dr. Chad Prosen as the next Principal of Cherokee Elementary School,” said Interim Superintendent Constance Collins. “Dr. Prosen is known as an outstanding instructional and servant leader in high-achieving learning communities in the Chicagoland area. We are confident Dr. Prosen will bring strong and caring leadership to Cherokee Elementary School.”

“The opportunity to join a school community like Cherokee is rare in one’s leadership journey,” Prosen said. “I plan on doing a lot of listening and drawing upon my past experiences and a shared responsibility model, working with teachers and staff to give Cherokee students the information, choices, and structure they need to be their best in an already amazing community of learners.”

Prosen has nearly 25 years of education experience including as principal of schools in districts in Flossmoor and Medinah and with the Archdiocese of Chicago. Before becoming a principal, Prosen taught at schools in Texas and Illinois, including Brother Rice High School. The Oak Forest resident has degrees from Baylor University, Saint Xavier University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his doctorate in education, policy, organization, and leadership.

With a new school year approaching and following a pandemic year, Prosen added, “It is time to return schools to places of joy. Students need it, teachers and staff need it, parents and guardians need it…we all need it!”
 
Dr. Prosen will host a meet and greet with Cherokee school families in August. Details to follow.