Illinois State Senate District 48 issued the following announcement on June 20.
State Senator Andy Manar expressed his congratulations to two Central Illinois educators and 48thDistrict residents on their appointment and swearing in to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) this spring.
“It was important to me that rural school districts in Downstate Illinois were represented on the State Board of Education and I expressed that sentiment to Governor Pritzker. I applaud the Governor’s appointment of Susan Morrison and Dr. David Lett who will be strong voices for small schools while balancing the needs of the entire state,” said Manar.
Susan Morrison, of Carlinville, and David Lett, of Rochester, are among seven newly sworn in members who will serve four-year terms on the State Board of Education.
Morrison, who was first appointed to the board in 2017, has worked as an Illinois educator and an advocate for children for nearly 40 years. She began her career in education in the Central Illinois communities of Homer and Girard as a social studies teacher and later worked as a building principal and director of curriculum and instruction.
Morrison also has statewide experience in education, serving as state director for several state and federal programs, including gifted education and school improvement. She retired from ISBE in 2015 as deputy superintendent and chief education officer before returning to serve on the board.
“Susan Morrison’s extensive experience prepared her well for her first two years on the board, during which she demonstrated how capable she is at addressing problems facing public education in Illinois,” said Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat. “She is more than deserving of another four years in her position, and I’m confident that she will continue to show leadership and effectively advocate on behalf of Illinois’ students and faculty.”
Dr. David Lett, who is serving his first term on the Board, has dedicated over 35 years as a teacher and leader in both K-12 schools and higher education. He began his career as a social science teacher before serving as a principal and assistant principal.
Lett also spent 16 years as superintendent of Pana Community Unit School District 8. He was one of the Central Illinois superintendents who approached Manar in 2012 about the need for a complete re-write of the school funding formula. Dr. Lett is currently an adjunct professor in the Education Leadership Department at the University of Illinois Springfield.
“With over three decades of experience in education at the local level as both a teacher and an administrator, Dr. Lett understands better than just about anyone the challenges school districts face,” Manar said. “He will be an excellent addition to the board, he will represent Downstate Illinois with a strong voice, and I look forward to working with him to fight for Illinois schools.”
Original source can be found here.
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