BY ANNA HERKAMP
DANVILLE — Danville High School got a new principal during Wednesday’s board meeting.
Mark Neil, principal at Edison Elementary School, will officially take the helm at DHS on July 1.
In his new assignment, Neil will add to his experience as an administrator at DHS. He was assistant principal there from 1990 to 1995.
After the board meeting Wednesday, Neil said his primary goals for the upcoming year include boosting student achievement and heightening the graduation rate.
But first, he wants to get acquainted with his new coworkers.
“I’ll be trying to get to know the staff members,” he said, adding that he knows many of the veteran teachers from when he was assistant principal in the ‘90s.
But the many people newer to the school and district he’d like to get to know, too.
Although he knows the challenges ahead of him are great, as the high school begins implementing its new restructuring plan, he’s looking forward to making changes that have a positive impact.
He’s eager to see the restructuring plan begin — especially the formation of upper “houses.”
The plan calls for the continuation of the freshmen house concept, with themed smaller learning communities for upper grades.
Neil was chosen from the narrowed list of four candidates for the position.
“I’m excited and appreciative of the confidence the board has in me,” he said.
Neil obtained an associate’s degree from Danville Area Community College in 1974, a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University in 1976, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern in 1980, a master’s in educational administration from Eastern in 1987 and is currently working on an education specialist degree.
He began his teaching career in Catlin, where he taught science, health, psychology and physical education from 1976 to 1981.
He was a guidance counselor at Rossville-Alvin High School, South View Middle School and DHS between 1981 and 1990.
In Danville, he was an administrative intern at Meade Park in 1989, an assistant principal at DHS from 1990 to 1995, principal at South View from 1995 to 2002 and Edison’s principal from 2002 to present.
Superintendent Nanette Mellen said Neil was an obvious choice for the position because of his varied and lengthy service to the district.
“We know he’ll be well-received by the students and staff,” she said.
Also at the meeting, Eliza Brooks, an administrative intern at Liberty Elementary School, will be assistant principal at North Ridge Middle School, and John Hart, administrative intern at East Park Elementary School, will be assistant principal there next year.
In other business, the board:
-- Heard a presentation from Pat O’Shaughnessy about a new subcommittee formed to continue fundraising efforts of the original DHS track facility.
The new Danville Community Athletic Complex committee will see to it the facility is finally finished, with amenities like a scoreboard and bleachers added.
The committee also will solicit support and labor donations from the local area, O’Shaughnessy said.
-- Recognized the DHS AMBUCS Advocates club for being featured in the national AMBUCS magazine.
-- Approved a $41,584.59 bid from PHONAK of Warrenville for new auditory equipment for hearing-impaired students. Other companies did not submit bids.
-- Approved the list of DHS seniors eligible to graduate. More than 300 students were listed.
-- Approved the application to the Illinois Department of Transportation to receive reimbursement for busing students across Main Street to Meade Park Elementary School. Currently, students who live in that area cross the street with the help of a crossing guard.
-- Approved the resignations of Mark Kaufman, a math teacher at South View, and Michael Spencer, a special education teacher at North Ridge Middle School, both effective May 29.
COMING UP
The next regular meeting of the Danville District 118 school board will be at 6:30 p.m. May 28, in the Jackson Building, 516 N. Jackson St.
