Board Elects New Principal for Niles North

After working for more than 25 years as an arts teacher and five years as the principal of Niles North High School, Robert Freeman made an emotional decision and resigned before District 219's school board.

"It's a bittersweet thing, but it's also a feeling you know when you're time has come," Freeman said as he addressed the school board on July 26. "My time has come."

The district didn't look far in choosing Freeman's replacement either, as it elected Ryan McTague – recently assistant principal of operations at Niles West High School – to take over Aug. 1.

"I'm thrilled," McTague said. "To serve in a district like this, it's a dream come true for me."

McTague said he thinks the district chose him because he has worked in the school system for seven years and has a strong record of successes.

Yet it was Freeman's night to shine, and when he was asked what his most memorable moment at Niles North was, he laughed and was lost for words.

"I don't know," Freeman said after a long pause. "Probably the last two graduations, when I gave my commencement speech, [the students] gave me a long standing obviation as if they respected the culture we built."

Before becoming principal at Niles North, Freeman served as the district's fine arts director. Not surprisingly, Freeman said he would continue to serve the district doing graphic design work for various events and online content.

"I'm really excited about the potential opportunity ahead of me to do other things – go back to my love of art and [be a consultant] with our district as well as other districts," he said. "I'm really looking forward to pursue the rest of my life with my wife and with my family."

McTague began his career with Niles West in 2003 as dean of students and became director of deans in 2005. In 2007, he was promoted to assistant principal.

His resume includes serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as an intelligence officer and principal for District 219's summer school program.