New Superintendent Chosen

New Superintendent Chosen

Dr. Megerle receives congratulations from Board President William Grimpe.

The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education has selected Dr. Jodi Megerle as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Megerle’s three-year contract was approved at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting and she will officially begin her duties on July 1, 2022.

Dr. Megerle has considerable experience in education as a teacher and administrator, serving as the district’s assistant superintendent for student services since 2019. In the five years prior, she was the principal at Friendship Junior High School in Des Plaines. That followed 15 years as a middle school assistant principal and principal in Barrington School District 220 and Round Lake Area School District 116. She began her career in education as a special education teacher at the middle and high school levels.

"I am overjoyed and honored for the opportunity to be the district's next superintendent,” Dr. Megerle said. “River Trails is a special place and I look forward to working closely with our dedicated staff, passionate families and diverse community for years to come. Thank you to the Board of Education for the privilege of leading the district and ensuring our students continue to receive a well-rounded education."

Dr. Megerle obtained her doctorate degree at Northern Illinois University in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Arizona State University, as well as a master’s degree and educational specialist degree from Northern Illinois University.

Her selection is the culmination of a months-long national search process by the Board of Education. Dr. Megerle was chosen from a diverse group of more than 30 highly qualified candidates.

“This was a thorough process that included involvement from multiple stakeholders and resulted in several impressive candidates,” Board of Education President William Grimpe said. “In the end, we are confident that Dr. Megerle’s experience and knowledge of River Trails make her uniquely qualified to lead the district into the future.”

Dr. Megerle will succeed Dr. Nancy Wagner, who has been the district’s superintendent since 2017 and announced that she will resign following the 2021-2022 school year. A search for a new assistant superintendent for student services will commence immediately.