New Westmoor Principal Has Wealth of Experience

Maria Eck, an educational leader who has 12 years of experience as a principal of elementary, middle and high schools, will be the new principal of Westmoor School beginning July 1.

Ms. Eck developed her leadership skills in Fairfax County Schools, Virginia, where she has worked for the past 18 years. She is currently the principal of Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, VA. 

Ms. Eck was selected after a comprehensive search process that included parent and staff feedback through a candidate profile survey and interview committees that included administrators, Westmoor staff and parents.

“The Westmoor community identified through survey feedback that they wanted someone who makes decisions in the best interest of students, has excellent communication skills, and shows warmth, humor, and interest in others,” said Dr. Pearson. “Ms. Eck skills and background are a perfect match for Westmoor Elementary School.”  

Members of the school interview committee commented that her energy is infectious and that she wants people to feel important and involved. 

“We were impressed by the wealth of experience and expertise that our chosen candidate demonstrated in areas related to instructional leadership and school culture and climate, which supports what we value and hold close to our hearts at Westmoor,” said Westmoor 2nd grade Teacher Allison Rubenstein on behalf of the committee. “She is the right leader for Westmoor and will help us continue to keep students as the central focus of our work.”

Ms. Eck began her career at Miami-Dade County Public School, FL as an elementary teacher, including gifted/talented and bilingual education. She was named an assistant principal for an elementary school in 2003 before moving to Virginia in 2005. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Florida International University and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Miami, FL. She is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Virginia Tech and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is moving to Northbrook to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

“I am so excited and honored to be the new principal of Westmoor,” Ms. Eck said while connected to the meeting via Zoom from her home in Virginia. “I don’t take this responsibility lightly and promise to continue the great work at Westmoor and build strong relationships with students, staff and the community.”

Ms. Eck replaces Mary Sturgill, who has accepted a district administrator position with a different district.

Katz Muhl, Kohler

Retire After 8 Years

Board President Tracy Katz Muhl and Vice President Michelle Kohler expressed appreciation for the community, fellow board members and the administrative team before stepping down after serving eight years on the Board of Education.

“I know the work we began eight years ago will forever have an impact on the district,” Katz Muhl said. “From making full-day kindergarten available for all to bringing critical student services in-house so that more special education students could be near their peers and siblings. It's been an incredible gift to serve and I’m very appreciative to be part of that.”

Vice President Kohler reflected on the difficult job of navigating the pandemic, “we’ve had some trying moments … and I think we’ve come out stronger for it,” she said.

Above, President Tracy Katz Muhl (left) and Vice President Michelle Kohler.

The new Board of Education is, seated, from left, Secretary Beth Bazer, President Jennifer Gallinson and Vice President Mara Silver-Schack. Back row, from left, Matt Cassidy, Adam Weinstock, DeShawn Arms and Christine Beeftink.

Beeftink, Weinstock Seated As New Members

Following the receipt of the official canvas of votes by the Cook County Clerk, the new Board of Education took the oath of office and board officers were elected.

New members Christine Beeftink and Adam Weinstock along with incumbent Mara Silver-Schack were seated for four-year terms. Beth Bazer was elected to the unexpired 2-year term. She was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Shweta Jinkala in 2022 and was elected to finish out that term. 

The new board elected officers for two-year terms: 

• President: Jennifer Gallinson, who has been a member since 2017
• Vice President: Mara Silver-Schack, first elected in 2019
• Secretary: Beth Bazer, a member since 2022

Lighting Upgrades To Conserve Energy

The district is updating all existing lighting to LED through ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program - at a cost of 4 cents to the district. ComEd is funding the $422,701 project to reduce energy demands on its power plants. Most existing fixtures will be retrofitted with LED kits. All existing fixtures in parking lots, gymnasiums and multipurpose rooms will be replaced. Lighting controls will also be added to those spaces. The upgrade is projected to save the district more than $38,000 annually in energy costs.

Building Maintenance Approved for Summer

• The Greenbriar Auditorium HVAC unit will be replaced in July as part of the district’s ongoing building maintenance program. The unit is past its useful life. Total cost is $142,100.

• The Northbrook Junior High gymnasium divider will be replaced in July at a cost of $27,100. Removal of the existing floor-to-ceiling wood panel divider, which is original to the building, is the largest expense in the project.

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