MACOMB, Illinois. With new advancements to help students, families, and schools throughout west-central Illinois, the Regional Office of Education #26 is starting the 2025–2026 school year.
ROE26 continues to invest in services that empower children from early life through high school and beyond, including the hiring of multiple new staff members and the introduction of a ground-breaking rural career education initiative.
ROE26’s leading position in the new Rural IL Career and Technical Education (CTE) Project, a statewide program backed by the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), is one of the most noteworthy announcements this fall. The project’s main goal is to promote and increase access to high-quality CTE opportunities in rural areas, which is crucial in an area where access and geography can be obstacles for students pursuing college and professional paths.
John Glasgow, the director of AIRSS Grant Programming and Advocacy, is in charge of the initiative. Glasgow will collaborate closely with ROE26, ISBE, and AIRSS to lobby for policies that improve rural access to education and workforce development, perform equity-focused research, and offer technical assistance.
In a press release, Glasgow stated, “This is a fantastic opportunity to draw attention and resources to the rural schools that comprise more than half of Illinois districts.” By working together, we are guaranteeing that every student, no matter where they are, has a road to success.
The project can be found at: https://airssedu.org/cte.
This August, ROE26 is welcoming several new team members in addition to initiating this statewide relationship. Among the notable new recruits are:
- Scott Sullivan, director of ROE Services, who will oversee vital programs such as ROYALS, LEAP, GED, McKinney-Vento Homeless, and early childhood services. Sullivan brings extensive administrative experience from his previous role as principal at Macomb High School.
- Jenni Markello, director of ROYALS, and Danielle Lewis, lead teacher at ROYALS Macomb, both of whom will lead and support alternative education programming.
- Abby Beck, director of Attendance and Family Support, who will lead the Project Stay In Truancy Intervention Program.
- Amanda Pratt, Meg Ault and Alicia Bithos, who will serve as student advocates through the LEAP initiative and other supports.
- Stephen Anderson, Student and Family Support specialist, who will help remove barriers to learning and build stronger school-family connections.
- Stephanie Beaird, administrative assistant, supporting day-to-day operations at the Macomb office.
- Aeron Thorson, service coordinator for the Child and Family Connections program, providing early intervention coordination throughout the nine-county region.
- Todd McDillon, Attendance and Family Support specialist.
Regional Superintendent John Meixner commented, “We are excited to welcome these new staff members who bring a deep commitment and professional expertise to our mission.” This year is full of exciting growth and opportunities for ROE26 and the children we serve, especially when combined with our new CTE effort.
School districts in the counties of Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler are served by ROE26.
To learn more, go to www.roe26.net.
