SPRINGFIELD — Springfield District 186 has its first new superintendent in 12 years.
The District 186 Board of Education is recommending Terrance Jordan as its next superintendent. The board is expected to vote on Jordan’s appointment at an upcoming board meeting. The board next meets Jan. 20.
Jordan was one of three finalists. He has been with the district since 2003.
“Dr. Jordan brings both vision and heart to this role,” Board representative Buffy Lael-Wolf said in a Jan. 16 news release. “He understands our district because he has lived our work. He knows our students, our families and our schools, and he has earned trust through years of service. We are confident he will lead District 186 with integrity, purpose and unwavering commitment to student success.”
Springfield District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill announced in August that she would be retiring at the end of her contract, which expires on June 30, 2026.
Springfield-based Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) was contracted to do the search.
“We are confident that the best candidate rose to the top after a competitive search that included surveys, interviews and focus groups involving staff, families, students and community members,” Lael-Wolf said in the release.
Gill, 56, spent more than three decades in the district.
About Jordan
Jordan is a native of Lexington, Mississippi. He is a graduate of Jacob J. McClain High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi Valley State University.
Jordan began his career in District 186 as a kindergarten teaching assistant. He later served as a library media specialist and parent educator before he earned his elementary teaching certificate from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Jordan taught first and third grade where he earned the Horace Mann Rising Star Teaching Award. Jordan later became principal of Black Hawk Elementary School where he served for seven years. His leadership was recognized with the Springfield Public Schools District 186 Administrator of the Year award and the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Excellence.
Jordan joined district administration in 2021 and currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Family, Community, and School Leadership.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield Public School District 186 names new superintendent
Reporting by Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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