Lake County Gazette

Maryville Elementary will begin the school year under new leadership due to an unexpected medical issue affecting principal Dr. Eugea. Superintendent Mark B. Skertich informed families that Dr. Eugea is unable to start the year and is focusing on her health and recovery, but looks forward to returning and meeting students and families in the future.

In her absence, Madonna Harris has been appointed as acting principal for Maryville Elementary. Mrs. Harris recently retired from Collinsville Middle School after serving as assistant principal for seven years. Her previous experience includes roles as principal at Wolf Branch Elementary School, Dean of Students at Central Junior High School in Belleville, 7th grade English teacher at Central Junior High, and elementary teacher at Union Elementary in Belleville.

Superintendent Skertich stated: "To keep things flowing at Maryville, Madonna Harris will be serving as the acting principal to ensure a smooth and successful start to the year.  Mrs. Harris is an experienced administrator who recently retired from Collinsville Middle School. Our district office staff and elementary principals will collaborate closely with her to ensure Maryville receives needed support."

He also acknowledged that transitions can cause uncertainty: "We understand that leadership transitions can raise questions, and we are here to support you and your children through this process. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Harris at (618) 346-6301 or maharris2@cusd.kahoks.org."

Mrs. Harris shared her motivation for working in education: "I had some fantastic teachers and coaches that pushed and encouraged me to be a leader.  Coaching and teaching were my passion for many years.  I love working with kids and teachers."

Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 includes schools such as Maryville Elementary, Caseyville Elementary School, Collinsville High School, Collinsville Middle School, Dorris Intermediate School, Jefferson Elementary School, John A. Renfro Elementary School, Kreitner Elementary School, Summit Elementary School, Twin Echo Elementary School, and Webster Elementary School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district serves Madison and St. Clair counties.

According to recent data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the district employs 418 teachers with an average salary of $60,392; women make up 81 percent of the teaching staff while men account for 19 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is diverse: 56 percent White, 14.1 percent Black, 24.1 percent Hispanic, and 0.5 percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020, spending per student was $16,872 for a total expenditure of $104 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

The district office will provide updates about leadership changes as needed throughout the school year.