Learn about new school leaders in southwestern Illinois, including background and salaries

Mike Koziatek, Kelly Smits
·11 min read
3

Students across the metro-east will see new school administrators for the 2023-24 school year.

In an effort to help parents and students learn about the new school leaders, the Belleville News-Democrat has contacted over 70 public school districts and private schools to collect information about new administrators in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Clinton, Bond, Washington and Randolph counties.

One public school district and one private school did not release information as requested multiple times. They are: Bond County School District 2 and Trinity-St. John Lutheran School in Nashville.

The News-Democrat has sent a Freedom of Information Act request to Bond County. This public school district is subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Act request while Trinity-St. John Lutheran School is not since it is a private organization.

The following schools have released the following information about their new superintendents and principals:

St. Clair County

Belle Valley District 119

School: Belle Valley Middle School

Principal: Khari Grant

Previous position: Middle school administrator, Carbondale Middle School

Education: BA, The Ohio State University; MSEd, University of Dayton; EDD, Oakland City University.

Salary: $98,000

Belleville School District 118

School: Roosevelt Elementary School

Principal: Bernita Matory-Lister

Previous position: Principal, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School

Education: Bachelor of science, communication disorders and sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Master of arts, teaching, Lindenwood University; Educational specialist degree, reading specialist, Lindenwood University; Educational specialist degree, elementary and secondary administration, Lindenwood University.

Salary: $121,835

Bernita Matory-Lister is the new principal at Roosevelt Elementary School.
Bernita Matory-Lister is the new principal at Roosevelt Elementary School.

School: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School

Principal: Monet Webster

Previous position: Principal, Central Junior High School

Education: Bachelor of arts, speech communication, McKendree University; Master of arts, educational technology, Lindenwood University; Master of arts, school administration, Lindenwood University; Educational specialist degree, superintendent licensure, McKendree University.

Salary: $131,683

Monet Webster is the new principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
Monet Webster is the new principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

School: Central Junior High School

Principal: William “Bill” Wright

Previous position: Assistant principal, Central Junior High School

Education: Bachelor of science, special education, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Master of arts, educational administration, Lindenwood University.

Salary: $108,054

Bill Wright is the new principal at Central Junior High School.
Bill Wright is the new principal at Central Junior High School.

Belleville School District 201

School: Belleville West High School

Principal: Malcolm Hill

Previous position: Associate principal, Belleville East High School

Education: Bachelor’s degree, special and elementary education, 1995; Master’s degree, curriculum and instruction, National Louis University, 1997; Master’s degree, educational administration, Lindenwood University, 2006; Specialist, central office leadership, Missouri Baptist, 2015; Doctorate, educational leadership, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2019.

Salary: $145,000

Malcolm Hill is the new principal at Belleville West High School.
Malcolm Hill is the new principal at Belleville West High School.

Brooklyn School District 188

Superintendent/Principal: Connie McCartney

Previous position: Principal, Brooklyn School District 188

Education: Bachelor’s degree, business administration, Wichita State University, 1984; Master’s degree, teaching, Lindenwood University, 2008; Master’s degree, administration, Lindenwood University, 2009; Doctorate, educational leadership, Maryville University, 2018.

Salary: $120,000

Connie McCartney is the new superintendent for Brooklyn School District 188. She also serves as principal for the district.
Connie McCartney is the new superintendent for Brooklyn School District 188. She also serves as principal for the district.

Cahokia School District 187

School: Ninth grade at Cahokia High School

Principal: Carmen Hawkins

Previous position: Assistant principal/homeless liaison, Harmony Intermediate Center in Belleville

Education: Bachelor of science, special education, 2003; Master of arts, educational administration, 2008.

Salary: $100,788

Carmen Hawkins is the new principal for the Cahokia High School ninth grade.
Carmen Hawkins is the new principal for the Cahokia High School ninth grade.

Superintendent: Curtis McCall Jr.

Previous position: Assistant superintendent of educational services in Cahokia School District 187

Education: Bachelor of science, health education, 2004; Master of arts, specialist educational administration, 2019.

Salary: $198,000

Curtis McCall Jr. is the new superintendent of Cahokia School District 187.
Curtis McCall Jr. is the new superintendent of Cahokia School District 187.



School: Seventh grade at Wirth Middle School

Principal: Felicia Rush-Taylor

Previous position: Principal, Estelle Sauget School of Choice

Education: Bachelor of science, education, 1992; Master of science, education, 1998.

Salary: $112,540

Felicia Rush-Taylor is the new principal of the Wirth Middle School seventh grade.
Felicia Rush-Taylor is the new principal of the Wirth Middle School seventh grade.

School: Estelle Sauget School of Choice

Principal: Ty Suhre

Previous position: Teacher, Huffman School

Education: Bachelor of science, education kinesiology, 2005; Master of science, education administration, 2009.

Salary: $87,898

Ty Suhre is the new principal at Estelle Sauget School of Choice.
Ty Suhre is the new principal at Estelle Sauget School of Choice.

Central School District 104

Superintendent: Gabrielle Rodriguez

Previous position: Superintendent, Sparta School District 140

Education: Associate of arts, education, Southwestern Illinois College, 1999; Bachelor’s degree, education, McKendree University, 2002; Master’s degree, educational administration, Lindenwood University, 2006; Doctorate, educational leadership, St. Louis University, 2011.

Salary: $130,000

Gabrielle Rodriguez is the new superintendent of Central School District 104.
Gabrielle Rodriguez is the new superintendent of Central School District 104.

School: Dawn Elser Elementary in O’Fallon

Principal: Cassy Shelton

Previous position: Special education coordinator for Central School District 104

Education: Bachelor’s degree, special education, Eastern Illinois University, 1991; Master’s degree, elementary education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2002; Administrative degree, Eastern Illinois University, 2004.

Salary: $120,000

Cassy Shelton is the new principal at Dawn Elser Elementary in O’Fallon.
Cassy Shelton is the new principal at Dawn Elser Elementary in O’Fallon.

Dupo School District 196

School: Bluffview Elementary School

Principal: Kyle Baker

Previous position: Teacher and assistant principal, St. Louis Public Schools

Education: Bachelor of arts, journalism, Sam Houston State University, 1998; Teaching certificate, high school English, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2004; Master of arts, educational administration, Lindenwood University, 2008; Doctor of education, educational leadership, Maryville University, 2017.

Salary: $92,000

Kyle Baker is the new principal at Bluffview Elementary School.
Kyle Baker is the new principal at Bluffview Elementary School.

East St. Louis School District 189

School: Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis

Principal: Tryphena Cason

Previous position: Assistant principal, James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis

College degrees and years earned: B.S, information systems technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2000; M.B.A. with emphasis in management, Webster University in St. Louis, 2002; M.A., teaching, Lindenwood University, 2009; M.A., education administration, Lindenwood University, 2012

Salary: $99,870

Tryphena Cason is the new principal of Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis.
Tryphena Cason is the new principal of Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis.

School: East St. Louis Senior High School

Principal: Brittany Green

Previous position: Principal, Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence in East St. Louis

Education: Bachelor of science, elementary education (K-9), Harris Stowe State University, 2006; Master of education, educational leadership, Lindenwood University, 2010; Educational specialist, educational leadership (superintendency), Lindenwood University, 2012; Doctor of education, educational leadership, Maryville University, 2019.

Salary: $135,000

Brittany Green is the new principal at East St. Louis Senior High School.
Brittany Green is the new principal at East St. Louis Senior High School.



School: Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence (K-8)

Principal: Kim Jones-Riley

Previous position: Associate principal, East St. Louis Senior High School

Education: Bachelor of science, education, major, elementary education, endorsement, English language arts and social studies, minor, sociology; Illinois State University, May 1996; Master’s degree, education administration, area of study-school leadership, superintendency endorsement in the state of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, May 2002; Education specialist degree, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, May 2009; Education administration doctor of education degree, area of study - instructional leadership, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, doctoral degree conferment anticipated December 2023.

Salary: $126,782

Kim Jones-Riley is the new principal at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence (K-8) in East St. Louis.
Kim Jones-Riley is the new principal at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence (K-8) in East St. Louis.



Harmony-Emge School District 175

Superintendent: Dustin Nail

Previous position: Superintendent/principal, Damiansville Elementary School District 62

Education: BA, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1999; Master’s degree, educational administration, Lindenwood University, 2008; Educational specialist, Lindenwood University, 2012.

Salary: $120,000

Dustin Nail is the new superintendent of Harmony-Emge School District 175.
Dustin Nail is the new superintendent of Harmony-Emge School District 175.

Freeburg School District 70

School: Freeburg Elementary School

Principal: Tiffany Zurliene

Previous position: Assistant principal, Albers Elementary School

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education, McKendree University, 2012; Master’s degree, educational leadership, McKendree University, 2021.

Salary: $74,000

Tiffany Zurliene is the new principal at Freeburg Elementary School.
Tiffany Zurliene is the new principal at Freeburg Elementary School.

Lebanon School District 9

Superintendent: Amanda Ganey

Previous position: Pre-K-12 building principal, West Washington School District 10 (Okawville Grade School/Okawville Junior/Senior High)

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education, McKendree University, 2009; Master’s degree, curriculum and instruction, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2012; Master’s degree, administration, McKendree University, 2019; Specialist, superintendency, St. Louis University, 2022; Doctorate, leadership, St. Louis University, 2023.

Salary: $115,848

Amanda Ganey is the new superintendent at Lebanon School District 9.
Amanda Ganey is the new superintendent at Lebanon School District 9.

Mascoutah School District 19

Superintendent: Dave Deets

Previous position: Superintendent, Harmony-Emge School District 175

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2003; Master’s degree, educational administration, McKendree University, 2007; Specialist degree, educational administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2013; Doctor of education, curriculum design and instruction, McKendree University, 2021.

Salary: $170,000

Dave Deets is the new superintendent at Mascoutah School District 19.
Dave Deets is the new superintendent at Mascoutah School District 19.

School: Wingate Elementary School

Principal: Kim Enriquez

Previous position: Principal, Mascoutah Elementary School

Education: Bachelor of science, elementary education, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1996; National board certification, 2000; Master of science, educational administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2002; Superintendent’s licensure, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2014.

Salary: $120,000

Kim Enriquez is the new principal at Wingate Elementary School.
Kim Enriquez is the new principal at Wingate Elementary School.

School: Mascoutah Elementary School

Principal: Michelle J. Cooley

Previous position: Assistant principal, Mascoutah High School

Education: Bachelor of science, sociology, East Texas Baptist University, 2008; Master’s degree, secondary education, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2012; Master’s degree, educational leadership and design, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2017; Doctorate, social justice in education, set to confer May 2024.

Salary: $104,000

Michelle J. Cooley is the new principal at Mascoutah Elementary School.
Michelle J. Cooley is the new principal at Mascoutah Elementary School.

O’Fallon School District 90

School: Carriel Junior High School

Principal: Dan Foehrkolb

Previous position: Principal, Washington Middle School

Education: Bachelor’s degree, education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2013; Master’s degree, educational administration, McKendree University, 2007; Specialist degree for superintendent, Western Illinois University, 2007; Doctoral candidate for educational doctorate, Aurora University, expected in 2024.

Salary: $105,000

Dan Foehrkolb is the new principal at Carriel Junior High School.
Dan Foehrkolb is the new principal at Carriel Junior High School.

School: Moye Elementary School

Principal: John Bannister

Previous position: Assistant Principal, Alton High School

Education: Bachelor of arts, psychology, Quincy University, 1996; Master of science, educational administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2012; Doctor of education, educational leadership, Maryville University, 2022.

Salary: $112,000

John Bannister is the new principal at Moye Elementary School.
John Bannister is the new principal at Moye Elementary School.

Pontiac-William Holliday School District 105

Superintendent: Brian Arteberry

Previous position: Chief school business official at Highland School District 5

Education: Bachelor of Arts, history, Eastern Illinois University, 2004; Masters of Science, education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2008; Chief school business official, Northern Illinois University, 2012; Education specialist, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2019; Doctorate, education leadership, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2020.

Salary: $133,500

Brian Arteberry is the new superintendent of Pontiac-William Holliday School District 105.
Brian Arteberry is the new superintendent of Pontiac-William Holliday School District 105.

Wolf Branch District 113

Superintendent: Nicole Sanderson

Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Wolf Branch District 113

Education: Associate’s degree, 1996; Bachelor’s degree, 1998; Graduate degree, 2004; Doctorate, 2012.

Salary: $155,009

Nicole Sanderson is the new superintendent of Wolf Branch District 113.
Nicole Sanderson is the new superintendent of Wolf Branch District 113.

Madison County

Bethalto School District 8

School: Wilbur Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto

Principal: Laura Gipson

Previous position: Assistant principal, Wilbur Trimpe Middle School

Education: Master of arts, educational administration/leadership, McKendree University, 2010; Bachelor of music, music/music education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2005.

Salary: $99,090

Laura Gipson is the new principal at Wilbur Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto.
Laura Gipson is the new principal at Wilbur Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto.

Collinsville School District 10

School: Maryville Elementary School

Principal: Doug Kirk

Previous position: Assistant principal, Dorris Intermediate School, Collinsville

Education: B.S., kinesiology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; M.S., special education, SIUE; Ed. S., educational administration, SIUE.

Salary: $80,000

Doug Kirk is the new principal at Maryville Elementary School.
Doug Kirk is the new principal at Maryville Elementary School.

Granite City School District 9

School: Mitchell 3-4 Education Center in Granite City

Principal: Jody Batson

Previous position: Principal, Grigsby Intermediate School in Granite City

Education: Bachelor of science, elementary education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1993; Master of arts, education, McKendree University, 2011.

Salary: $155,902

Jody Batson is the new principal at the Mitchell 3-4 Education Center in Granite City.
Jody Batson is the new principal at the Mitchell 3-4 Education Center in Granite City.

School: Grigsby Intermediate School in Granite City

Principal: Steven Mathes

Previous position: COVID renewal and innovation coordinator, Granite City School District 9

Education: Bachelor of arts, English, Illinois College, 2001; Master of science, educational administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2014.

Salary: $146,910

Steven Mathes is the new principal at Grigsby Intermediate School in Granite City.
Steven Mathes is the new principal at Grigsby Intermediate School in Granite City.



School: Granite City High School

Principal: Tim McChristian

Previous position: Principal, Du Quoin High School

Education: Bachelor of arts, social science with teacher certification, Eastern Illinois University, 1992; Masters of science, educational administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2000.

Salary: $122,532

Tim McChristian is the new principal at Granite City High School.
Tim McChristian is the new principal at Granite City High School.

Highland School District 5

Schools: Alhambra Primary School/Grantfork Elementary School

Principal: Susie Schaefer-Kronk

Previous position: Grade 1 Teacher/Alhambra Primary

Education: BA, speech pathology and audiology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1996; MS, speech/speech pathology, SIUE, 1997; MA, educational administration/leadership, McKendree University, 2008.

Salary: $85,000

Susie Schaefer-Kronk is the new principal Alhambra Primary School and Grantfork Elementary School.
Susie Schaefer-Kronk is the new principal Alhambra Primary School and Grantfork Elementary School.

Venice School District 3

School: Venice Elementary School

Principal: Jeanna Outerbridge

Previous position: Transitions teacher, East St. Louis School District 189

Education: Bachelor of Science, education and human services, Northeastern University in Boston, 1997; Master of Art, special education, Webster University in St. Louis; Master of Art, education leadership, McKendree University in Lebanon, 2019; Currently studying for EdS, superintendence licensure, McKendree University.

Salary: $95,000

Randolph County

Sparta School District 140



School: Evansville Attendance Center

Principal: Kelly Carpenter

Previous position: Life skills teacher

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education, 2002; Master’s degree, education administration, 2012.

Salary: $55,000



Kelly Carpenter is the new principal of the Evansville Attendance Center.
Kelly Carpenter is the new principal of the Evansville Attendance Center.





School: Sparta Lincoln School

Principal: Lynda Loesing

Previous position: Sparta Lincoln assistant principal

Education: Bachelor of science, elementary education, 1996; Master of arts in education, educational administration/leadership, 2010.

Salary: $88,000

Lynda Loesing is the new principal at Sparta Lincoln School.
Lynda Loesing is the new principal at Sparta Lincoln School.

Superintendent: Chris Miesner

Previous position: Principal at Sparta Lincoln School

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2008; Master’s degree, educational administration, SIUE, 2010; Superintendent educational specialist degree, SIUE, 2022.

Salary: $122,500

Chris Miesner is the new superintendent for Sparta School District 140.
Chris Miesner is the new superintendent for Sparta School District 140.

Washington County

West Washington County School District 10

School: Okawville High School

Principal: Jason Rakers

Previous position: Principal at Pocahontas Grade School

Education: Associate’s degree, Kaskaskia College, 1995; Bachelor’s degree, Quincy University, 1997; Master’s degree, Lindenwood University, 2007; Education specialist, Lindenwood University, 2010.

Salary: $88,000

Jason Rakers is the new principal at Okawville High School.
Jason Rakers is the new principal at Okawville High School.

Private schools

Belleville Diocese



School: St. Mary in Chester

Interim Principal: Brad Colvis

Previous position: Young adult ministry

Education: Bachelor of science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1997; Master of Divinity, Cranmer Theological House, 2000; Licentiate in Sacred Theology, International Theological Institute, 2018.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school





School: St. Joseph Catholic School in Freeburg

Interim Principal: Kris Hill

Previous position: Official with the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education

Education: Bachelor’s degree, education; master’s degree, adiministration.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school

School: Gibault Catholic High School

Principal: Sarah Lanham

Previous position: Principal , St. John the Baptist in Smithton

Education: Bachelor of science, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Master’s degree, educational leadership, American College of Education.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school

Sarah Lanham is the new principal of Gibault Catholic High School.
Sarah Lanham is the new principal of Gibault Catholic High School.



School: St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Smithton

Principal: Tamara Leib

Previous position: Principal, Belle Valley School

Education: Bachelor’s degree, health science in education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville;

Master’s degree, educational administration, Illinois State University; Doctorate, educational leadership, St. Louis University.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school



Springfield Diocese - Madison County

School: Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bethalto

Principal: Kim Knight

Previous position: Sixth-grade teacher at Our Lady Queen of Peace

Education: Bachelor of science, early childhood education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school.

Kim Knight is the new principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bethalto.
Kim Knight is the new principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bethalto.

School: St. Mary in Alton

Principal: Mary Rivera

Previous position: Worldwide Technology – order management

Education: Master’s degree, educational administration, Lindenwood University, 2013; Bachelor of science, history/secondary education, Quincy University, 2008.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school.

Mary Rivera is the new principal at St. Mary in Alton.
Mary Rivera is the new principal at St. Mary in Alton.

Lutheran schools

School: Holy Cross Lutheran School in Collinsville

Principal: Eric Brofford

Previous position: Principal at Grace Chapel Lutheran in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri

Education: B.A., Concordia College, Illinois, 1988; M.A., Concordia University, Illinois, 1994.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school



School: Immanuel Lutheran School in Okawville

Principal: Ed Bower

Previous position: Retired

Education: Bachelor’s degree, education, Concordia University, Chicago, 1975; Master’s degree, school leadership, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1987.

Salary: Undisclosed, private school

Ed Bower is the new principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Okawville.
Ed Bower is the new principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Okawville.