BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Mark Jontry, the Regional Office of Education #17 superintendent, announced Wednesday morning he is retiring at the end of his term.
“I’ve enjoyed a 30-plus-year career in education the last 17 as the regional superintendent schools, but the time has come. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot of what I set out to do when I took over this position, and the time is right in and I’m ready to hand it off,” said Jontry.
This was announced at a press event in Bloomington. This comes months after ROE #48 announced the retirement of their regional superintendent, Beth Crider. The Regional Office of Education #17 covers four counties in central Illinois: Dewitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean.
At the end of Jontry’s term, a new superintendent will take place, but it will all be decided by voters in the next midterm election. He gave his endorsement to the assistant regional superintendent, Molly Allen.
“I’m endorsing Molly because she has been a large part of our success at the office since she’s been here. She oversees our school and promotes our professional development services that we deliver to our districts. She has been on a lot of statewide task force that revolve around literacy, math skills, and things like that to help our all of our students,” said Jontry.
As Jontry reflects on his 17-year career as superintendent, he is happy with what he has accomplished, helping a multitude of students in 29 school districts he has covered.
“One of the most satisfying things, I think, I would say is trying to meet a need that our districts have identified. Whether that’s a certain type of professional development that Molly and her staff deliver or a new program like expanding or alternative program offerings or the new bridge program for behavioral health,” he said.
The primaries for the midterm elections will start in March, where voters will be able to vote for their next regional superintendent for office #17. For more information, you can visit their website.
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