Cotter Schools Announces New Principals for Grades 7-12

Cotter Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of two new principals as part of a restructuring of our leadership model. This change is designed to better serve our students and school community. Moving forward, Cotter will have one principal dedicated to junior high and another serving our high school.

Evan Howard has been named our new Junior High Principal. Evan has been with Cotter Schools for ten years and most recently served as Assistant Principal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint John’s University, a Master of Arts in K–12 Education from Bethel University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Evan played a key role in launching our innovative Explore Days for Junior High students and will now lead the Junior High program. He will also continue in systemwide leadership roles as Accreditation Lead, Title Coordinator, and Assessment Coordinator. His deep knowledge of our students, staff, and school culture ensures a seamless transition into his new role.

Kate (Gatzlaff) Moll will serve as our new High School Principal. A proud 2002 Cotter alum, Kate returns to Winona from the Aquinas Catholic Schools system, where she served as Principal of Blessed Sacrament School. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science in Education degrees from Viterbo University. Kate is thrilled to return home to Winona, where her parents still reside, and her two young children will attend Cotter at St. Luke Hall this fall. She brings with her a deep passion for student success, instructional excellence, and faith formation. We are delighted to welcome her back to the Cotter community.

As we look ahead with anticipation and confidence, we also pause to offer heartfelt thanks to Mr. Dave Forney, our current Grades 7–12 Principal, who will be retiring. We are deeply grateful for his many years of dedicated service, steady leadership, and faithful commitment to Cotter’s mission. His impact on students, staff, and families has been profound, and we wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.

Please join us in welcoming Evan Howard and Kate Moll to their new roles. We are truly blessed to have such passionate and qualified leaders guiding our students and continuing Cotter’s core values of Community, Faith, Service, and Respect.