Decatur Schools appoint new superintendent

Photo: Decatur Public Schools

URBANA – Decatur Public Schools has a new superintendent.

On Tuesday night, the board of education appointed Dr. Rochelle Clark as District 61’s new leader.

Clark started her career in 1992 as a special education teacher’s aide and worked her way up to assistant principal at three Decatur schools.

She also served as assistant superintendent of Crete-Monee School District south of Chicago.

Clark plans to hold listening sessions with students, staff, and stakeholders.

She is a native of St. Louis and earned her doctoral degree in education from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

With Clark’s appointment… Champaign, Urbana, Danville, and Decatur public schools are all under the leadership of Black women superintendents.

Dr. Shelia Boozer leads the Champaign Unit 4 Schools. Dr. Alicia Geddis is the Superintendent at Danville School District 118. Dr. Jennifer Ivory-Tatum is the top administrator at Urbana School District 116.

Top row: Dr. Dr. Shelia Boozer, Champaign Unit 4 Schools superintendent and Dr. Rochelle Clark, Decatur District 61 superintendent.
Bottom row: Dr. Alicia Geddis, Danville School District 118 superintendent and Dr. Jennifer Ivory-Tatum, Urbana School District #116 superintendent.

TAGS: Decatur School District #61, Dr. Rochelle Clark

WILL and the Illinois Newsroom are committed to bringing you in-depth, relevant coverage that keeps you informed and engages you with our community and state. Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. Donate today >>

More Stories From Illinois Public Media

Deputy who killed Sonya Massey joined Sangamon County Sheriff after past employers questioned his integrity and conduct

Sean Grayson, the former sheriff’s deputy facing murder charges for killing Sonya Massey in Sangamon County, Illinois, left a previous agency after complaints were filed

Autopsy findings confirm Sonya Massey, Black woman shot by deputy, died from gunshot wound to head

The fired sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct charges in Massey’s killing. He was fired last week by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

217 Today: A dialogue on maternal healthcare in the Black community

Friday, July 26, 2024 Today’s headlines: A Champaign group is teaching families how to cope with their loved ones’ sentences and what to do when they

Democratic convention planners are working to pull off a dramatic Biden-Harris role reversal

ith President Joe Biden now out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris pursuing the party’s nomination, a dramatic role reversal for the two is likely to play out before a nationally televised audience when delegates gather in Chicago next month. Harris is banking on introducing her vice presidential pick to the country and standing at center stage.

217 Today: Deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey in Springfield was discharged from Army for serious misconduct

Thursday, July 25, 2024 Today’s headlines: American Water has proposed a general rate increase that would raise residential bills by about $24 a month. Illinois has