Lake Zurich High School has a new principal, Kent Nightlinger, who is currently the associate principal at Rolling Meadows High School.

The board of education for Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 approved the hiring at a Feb. 14 special meeting, according to a news release. Kim Kolze, current principal, will retire at the end of this year.

Nightlinger is a Palatine resident. He was chosen from about 40 total applicants, according to Jean Malek, communications director for the district.

"I think my wide range of administrative experiences is my greatest strength.  I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have leadership roles in all aspects of school leadership," Nightlinger told Lake Zurich Patch.  "I also believe that relationship building is crucial to any organization and a strength that I will bring to this position.  My plan is to build upon the many great things that are already taking place at LZHS.  I look forward to sitting down with the district staff, students, and parents and to build upon the great academic, athletic, and co-curricular foundation that has been developed at LZHS."

Nightlinger previously worked for District 95, from 2001-2004, and served assistant principal for student services at Lake Zurich High School. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University and a master of science degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University.

”Kent Nightlinger has 20 years of administrative experience at the high school level and knows what it takes to lead a comprehensive suburban high school that meets the academic, social/emotional, and extra-curricular needs of all of our Lake Zurich High School students. I am extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Nightlinger back to District 95 as the Principal of Lake Zurich High School," said Distrct 95 Superintendent Mike Egan.

Nightlinger said he is happy to return to LZHS. ”My goal is to connect; meet the students, staff, parents, and see what everyone thinks about continuing to improve the already great things that are happening [at LZHS],” Nightlinger said, according to the student newspaper, Bear Facts.

Editor's note: Information from Jean Malek was added at 3:40 p.m.; comment from Kent Nightlinger was added at 4:18 p.m., Feb. 15. 

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