On Wednesday, Dr. Jeff Prickett announced his resignation from MCHS as the Principal of Upper Campus. He is heading to Meadowview Elementary School in Grayslake, IL.

Prickett has been an administrator at MCHS for nine years.

“It’s the question of the hour right?” asked Prickett. “Well, it wasn’t an easy choice but for a while now, I’ve had thoughts about going back to the elementary school level.”

Prickett started his principal journey at Murphy Elementary in Round Lake, IL., so going back to being a principal at an elementary school is a full circle moment for him.

“I’m not getting any younger so this opportunity showed up and I applied for it,” said Prickett. “Low and behold, I got the job!”

Prickett spent five years being an administrator in middle school, and eight at MCHS, including a few years as East Campus’ principal and principal of both campuses until becoming just the Upper Campus principal last year.

Junior Kyra Hanneman believes that Prickett had a major impact on her high school career.

“Dr. P has had a major impact on me during my highschool career,” says Hannaman. “He came to me during my Freshman year asking me personally if I would like to go to another school to learn more about how to instill a positive culture and climate at MCHS. This meant a lot to me that others saw potential in me to be a leader.”

Prickett has the ability to make sure that people feel mattered and that they belong here at McHenry.

“At meetings he ensures everyone has a voice,” said Hanneman, “and he even goes out of his way to make sure he knows everyone’s names. He likes to talk to students directly rather than just talking with other adults in the building.”

The school district hopes to solidify the process of hiring a new principal by the end of next week.

District 156’s Superintendent Dr. Ryan McTague said, “I appreciate Dr. Prickett’s contributions and service to our school community and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”

Prickett did a lot for district 156, like bringing early release on Wednesdays, and the staff meetings after school on those days, starting the portrait of a graduate, and starting the Renaissance team that focuses on school culture.

“I think that what I’m most proud of is the work that we have done on the portrait of a graduate,” Prickett said, “which defines our core values for the district and the kind of direction that we are heading. I’m just so blown away all the time by how much all of you have grown in just a couple of years.”