Staunton CUSD #6 Families:
Last week, I was employed by the Staunton CUSD# 6 Board of Education to serve as the interim superintendent for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. During my discussions with the members of the Board of Education, I was impressed by their desire to provide a quality educational experience for every student, and I am excited to have the opportunity to join the district administrators, faculty, and staff in their efforts to ensure the Board’s vision to serve the children of the CUSD #6 community becomes a reality. Of course, no one is ignorant of the current challenges that providing educational services during this unique period pose. Still, I am excited to be part of a team of professionals committed to making a positive difference for children.
While I already know numerous residents of the district, I realize many of you do not know me. So, I would like to take a few lines to introduce myself. First, except for my college years, I am a lifetime resident of Macoupin County. My childhood was spent on a small farm in rural Plainview. I attended elementary school in Shipman and graduated in the late 1970’s from Southwestern High School in Piasa. After high school, I earned a B.S in History/Economics from MacMurray College. Then, in the early 1980’s, I began my career in public education as a teacher, coach and activity sponsor at Girard High School. After a few years working and living in northern Macoupin County, I accepted a teaching position at Carlinville High School.
During the next three plus decades, I worked in numerous positions for CUSD #1. While teaching in Carlinville, I served several years as the varsity boys’ basketball coach. Additionally, I coached several middle school sports. Plus, when I was a younger man, I even worked as a painter for the district during the summer months. Eventually, I was the activities director for the school district. Then, after earning graduate degrees from U.I.S and E.I.U. I became a fulltime administrator for CUSD #1, first as the district’s high school principal. Shortly thereafter, during a period of fiscal uncertainty for the district, I was also the principal at the middle school. For the last twelve years of my career in Carlinville, I was the district’s superintendent.
After retiring from Carlinville CUSD #1, I worked as an educational consultant and for a few years I was the Executive Director for the Illinois Valley Economic Corporation.
On the personal side, my wife Lisa, an English teacher, and I live in the Carlinville community. We have two adult daughters who live in the Chicago area. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, riding my bike and golfing. Plus, I enjoy following the Chicago Bears and Bulls, and I am an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Finally, the COVID-19 Pandemic will continue to present numerous trials and tribulations for next several months. Still, working collectively, I am confident parents and the CUSD #6 faculty and staff can ensure our children enjoy an excellent educational experience.
Michael J. Kelly, Interim Superintendent
