Administrative shifts reshaping metro-east schools’ leadership
This collection of stories examines leadership changes and shifting dynamics in Belleville schools and surrounding districts.
The promotion of Marshaun C. Warren to superintendent in District 201 highlights local experience rising to the top. Brian Mentzer’s departure from District 201 to lead Millstadt Consolidated Community School District 160 signals a notable administrative shift. Sydnee Jackson moves from teaching fifth grade and coaching to become assistant principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in District 118. Stories discuss the impact of pay and working conditions as Illinois schools grapple with teacher shortages and evolving administrative structures. Statewide, strategies like hiring retired educators and using innovative recruitment efforts try to offset staffing gaps.
Read the stories below.
NO. 1: SUPERINTENDENT OF BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOLS LEAVING FOR MILLSTADT ELEMENTARY DISTRICT
District 201 board members have asked a former superintendent to help them find a replacement. | Published January 10, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Teri Maddox
NO. 2: NEW DISTRICT 201 SUPERINTENDENT HAS DEEP TIES TO METRO-EAST, BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOLS
“I live here, I work here, and it’s important that I educate my children here,” she said. | Published February 19, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Madison Lammert
NO. 3: METRO-EAST TEACHERS FEAR CLOSING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL HARM STUDENTS. HERE’S HOW
“I have nightmares about what’s going to happen to my children,” an East St. Louis District 189 teacher said. | Published February 20, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Madison Lammert
NO. 4: WHAT ARE ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS DOING TO COMBAT A PROLONGED TEACHER SHORTAGE?
“We understand that this budget, although compassionate, still has a long way to go when it comes to really being able to close gaps.” | Published March 11, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Jessie Ngugen Jodran Owens
NO. 5: ILLINOIS EDUCATORS SAY LOW PAY, POOR CONDITIONS HINDER TEACHER RECRUITMENT, RETENTION
“All teachers across the state feel under-compensated, and that is a real point of pain,” said Dr. Rachel Mahmood, 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year. | Published March 11, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Jordan Owens
NO. 6: FIFTH GRADE TEACHER, BELLEVILLE WEST COACH JOINS DISTRICT 118 ADMINISTRATION
“She’s always just had an amazing heart for kids,” Principal Monet Webster said of the new assistant principal. | Published April 17, 2025 |
Read Full Story by Madison Lammert
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
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