Lyons Township High School Appoints New Principal

LA GRANGE, IL — The Lyons Township High School board on Monday appointed a new principal, who is set to start in July.

Jennifer Tyrrell, principal of Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, is replacing Principal Brian Waterman, who is replacing retiring Superintendent Tim Kilrea.

Under her one-year contract, Tyrrell will get a salary of $170,000. Waterman's is $194,000.

In 2005, Tyrrell began her career in education as a physical education teacher at Amos Alonzo Staggs High School in Palos Hills. Starting in 2009, she served for five years as division chairman for physical education at Staggs. She has been principal at Carl Sandburg for the last three years.

The pool for the position was narrowed from 40 applicants to seven candidates, then to three finalists, according to a school news release. The candidates were described as "high quality" and "impressive."

Tyrrell received bachelor of science in physical education and master of science in sports management degrees from Western Illinois University. She has a doctoral degree in administration and supervision from Loyola University Chicago.

“The best principals put their heart and soul into creating an elite school culture and climate and being present and visible within the school community," Tyrrell said in the news release. "The best principals are not just school and district leaders but truly are community leaders. I intend to be that leader.”