
By Neil Doyle
BLOOMINGTON – District 87 has announced several administrative changes and a new position for next year.
“This group of highly talented individuals bring a wealth of administrative experience to their new roles,” said Superintendent Barry Reilly in a news release. “These leadership changes and promotions will benefit the students, staff and families of this district for years to come.”
These changes will be presented to the Board of Education for approval at its Feb. 12 meeting. Pending approval, all positions will be effective July 1.
We are very excited to announce several administrative changes in District 87 for the upcoming 2020-21 school year!
All changes are pending approval from the Board of Education at the Feb. 12 meeting.#GreatToBeInD87Read about the changes here: https://t.co/ozEtmsdMKc pic.twitter.com/aj4pLT7qkS
— District 87 Schools (@District_87) February 3, 2020
The recommended leadership adjustments are as follows:
Sherrilyn Thomas will assume the role of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. She will succeed Dr. Herschel Hannah who is retiring on June 30. Thomas has served as Principal of Bloomington Junior High School since 2012. She began teaching at BJHS in 1997 before becoming Assistant Principal in 2002 and then serving as the junior high Associate Principal and Athletic Director in 2007.
Dr. Amanda Jarvis will assume the role of Principal of Bloomington Junior High School. She will succeed Sherrilyn Thomas. Dr. Jarvis has served as Associate Principal at Bloomington High School since 2012. She began her career teaching high school English at Danville High School in 1997; then teaching English at MacArthur High School in Decatur in 2006; then serving as Assistant Principal at Eisenhower High School in Decatur.
Katy Hansen will assume the role of Assistant Director of Special Education for District 87. This position was created to provide additional supports to all schools across the district including the areas of special education, crisis prevention and intervention, and restorative practices.
Lynn Shook will assume the role of Principal of Stevenson Elementary School. She will succeed Katy Hansen. Shook has served as Assistant Principal at Bloomington Junior High School since 2013. She has worked at Metcalf Laboratory School as a Physical Education teacher and Athletics Director; at Normal Community High School as a Physical Education teacher; and as a Collegiate Women’s Basketball Coach at Illinois State University, Winona State University, and Loras College.
Jen McGowan will assume the role of Assistant Principal of Bloomington Junior High School. She will succeed Lynn Shook. McGowan has served as Principal at Sheridan Elementary School since 2013. She began her District 87 career at Irving Elementary School as Title One Interventionist, and first and second grade teacher.
Danel Behrends-Harr will assume the role of Principal at Sheridan Elementary School. She will succeed Jen McGowan. Behrends-Harr has served as Principal at Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Childhood Education since 2007. She previously taught junior high and high school English. From 2002-2007, she was principal at Chatsworth and Meadowbrook elementary schools.
Guillermina Delgado will assume the role of Principal of Bent Elementary School. She will succeed Jeff Geringer who is retiring. Delgado has served as a bilingual teacher at Bent since 2006. At Bent, she taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grade, as well as assisted with coordination of the school’s bilingual program. She is also an adjunct professor at Illinois State University. She previously co-taught English Language Learner courses and helped establish curriculum at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]