Regional Office of Education #26 (ROE26) are gearing up for another school year, which Regional Superintendent John Meixner calls the first day of school, 'the greatest day of the year.'
"My dad always said the start of a new school year is the greatest day, and I've always remembered that. My kids would groan when they'd hear me say that, but it's true," he said with a laugh. "And if you're not excited about the start of a new year, you're in the wrong profession."
Several ROE26 initiatives, such as the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP), also known as LEAP (Leading, Educating and Partnering with the Community), launched last year, will continue – and are expanding. And a few new bits and pieces have been added to ROE26, which covers Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties LEAP, under the direction of Mandy Kreps and Kate Mallory, began last year at Macomb and Canton middle schools, along with Macomb High School, to provide extra assistance to students who might struggle in one or more of the following: attendance, academics and/or behaviorally. Funded through Illinois State Board of Education evidence-based funding, the ROE26 LEAP program, provides two student advocates within the halls of Macomb Middle School, Ingersoll School in Canton and Macomb High School. Each advocate has a case load of up to 32 students who have been identified as needing a boost in order to be academically successful. LEAP was also added to the Bushnell-Prairie City High School in January, and will continue there again this year.
"We're also looking at getting other districts involved in this program in the near future," Meixner added.
"Right now, the program is for grades four and up, but the Illinois State Board of Education is trying to get a bill passes that will allow this program to serve students from kindergarten on up. Since we implemented this program, we have seen better attendance, better grades and better behavior, all of which are the goal of LEAP."
With the recent retirements of longtime ROE26 employees, Lori Bilbrey, who ran the ROYALS (Regional Office Youth Alternative Learning Services) program, and Kim Featherlin, ROYALS lead teacher, Meixner reconfigured the regional office's administrative structure to further enhance efficiency.
Jenni Markello is the new ROYALS director, and Danielle Lewis took over Featherlin's role as ROYALS lead teacher. The program's mission is to guide students in finding academic success and post-secondary success.
ROYALS serves about 75 students at a time who are part of the program for any number of reasons. While some might be a part of ROYALS due to behavioral issues, such as fighting, most are related to such issues as chronic truancy or social and/or emotional concerns, often issues that are not the fault of a student. The program provides a safe, learning environment to ensure they have access to the education they need and deserve, but that a traditional classroom setting or school environment might not be a good fit.
Former Macomb High School Principal Scott Sullivan is now serving as director of services and will oversee student services, including the ROYALS program, truancy and early childhood programs. Abby Beck is the district's new attendance director.
"The goal of the ROE taking over the truancy side of the house is to ease the burden and workload of our local school districts," Meixner explained. "We'll work with parents and guardians. We'll communicate with them and work out solutions to get students to school. Our goal is to eliminate chronic absenteeism as much as possible."
Teacher and staff shortages remain a challenge for many schools across the nation, he noted; however, ROE26 is working to alleviate the shortages within the schools in their region by offering a short-term substitute program. A training will be held in Galesburg from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 25 for those interested in participating within the region as a short-term sub. The training, which is intended for those interested in serving as substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, meets the requirements of Public Act 100-596, which requires training for short-term substitute teachers. Participants will leave with an evidence of completion certificate as documentation to indicate they completed the training.
Individuals can register at tinyurl.com/yx76bz2j.
The ROE's Family Resource Center, located at 339 S. Johnson St., is designed as a one-stop shop for members of the Macomb community and surrounding region to access parenting support, education information and family resource referrals. Family Playgroups have been set, at no cost, for families with children ages three and younger on the first and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. The playgroup is intended to provide an opportunity for toddlers to play, while their parents socialize and meet other parents.
The center is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and houses the ROE's Early Beginning program and LEAP program. The Family Resource Center houses family support and educational programs that provide assistance with developmental screenings, diaper needs, child development information and parenting support such as home visiting, playgroups and Parent Cafes. Parents and those in education and human services can also receive training and support on how adverse childhood experiences can affect parenting, Youth Mental Health First Aid and how restorative language can impact families and organizational teams.
Several of ROE26's lineup, such as ROYALS, LEAP, McKinney-Vento Homeless (MKV) program receive funding from the Illinois State Board of Education, which divvies funding from the state's budget, as well as from federal grants. While funds are secured for the 2025-2026 academic year, Meixner anticipates some changes in funding in FY27, particularly the MVK program. The McKinney-Vento Act, which was signed into law in 1987 and renamed McKinney-Vento in 2000, is a federal law guaranteeing all children and youth the right to an equal education, regardless of their living situation. Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
"While we don't get a lot of funding from the U.S. Department of Education, we do expect some funding to change next year, but we just don't have the details yet as the federal government disperses 'x' amount to the states. We know it will be less, but just don't know how it will look," Meixner added.
"Regardless, we're here for our region. The new school year is a fresh start for everyone. We have incredible staff, and we have a lot of energy and good vibes going into the new year."
For more information on ROE26 programs and events, including support for parents and guardians at the district's Family Resource Center in Macomb, visit roe26.net.
