After 20 years in leadership roles at the Regional Office of Education #26, on March 31, Macomb native John Meixner walked out the door of his office on South Lafayette Street for the last time. Taking over is Dave Demler, who has served as assistant regional superintendent for ROE26 since July 2015. In addition, Scott Sullivan, ROE26 director of services, is moving to the assistant regional superintendent role.
Meixner joined ROE26 as assistant regional superintendent in 2006, was appointed as regional superintendent in 2009, and then elected to that role in 2010. Demler’s assistant role came after ROE26 merged with neighboring ROE22.
According to Meixner, he had decided not to run for re-election in November 2026, but will continue in a support role for the office.
“Education is about building paths for the next generation. I’ve spent my career trying to clear those paths for the students and educators of west-central Illinois, and it has been a great honor to serve the community that raised me. Retiring on April 1 allows for a seamless handoff as the school year winds down,” Meixner shared. “Dave Demler has been my right hand since 2015; he understands the unique needs of the ROE26 community better than anyone. This isn’t just a change in leadership - it’s a passing of the torch within a team that has worked side-byside for a decade to ensure our districts never miss a beat.”
Meixner has served as the elected chief executive officer of ROE26 for more than 15 years, guiding the organization with a mission to “Champion Our Community.” Over that time, he has been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2022, reflecting the trust placed in his leadership by the region’s voters.
A 50-plus-year resident of McDonough County, Meixner’s connection to the community runs deep. A graduate of Macomb High School, he attended Spoon River College and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Illinois University. His passion for education began early through coaching and teaching roles in local school districts, including Industry CUSD and Southeastern School District, where he served as a teacher, coach, athletic director and junior high dean of students.
“It has been the honor of my career to serve the students, educators and families of this region,” Meixner added. “From my earliest days as a teacher and coach to my time as regional superintendent, I have always believed in the power of education to change lives. I am incredibly proud of the team we have built at ROE26 and the impact we have made together.”
During his tenure, Meixner successfully led the 2015 consolidation of two regional offices into what is now ROE26, creating the unified structure serving Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler counties. Under his leadership, the office expanded services in early childhood education, alternative learning, family support, and workforce development, while continuing to fulfill its regulatory and support role for local school districts.
Meixner has also been an active leader at the state level, serving as treasurer of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS) and contributing to numerous state committees, task forces, and commissions focused on education policy and student success.
Beyond his professional role, he has remained deeply engaged in the community through organizations including the WIU Performing Arts Society, WIU Alumni Council, Macomb Lions Club, Macomb Elks Lodge, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and multiple youth and workforce development initiatives.
“Our work has always been about people, building relationships, supporting educators and helping students find their path,” Meixner said. “That mission will continue long after my retirement, and I know the office is in great hands moving forward.”
Demler brings more than two decades of experience in education and regional leadership to his new role. A Fulton County native, he is a graduate of Cuba High School and earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University.
“I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some truly great people and advocates for education over the years, and having Scott join the leadership team only makes us stronger,” Demler said. “John leaves some big shoes to fill, but I’m just looking forward to keeping the momentum going and staying focused on supporting all of ROE26.”
He began his career in education in 2000 in Colchester and continued through the West Prairie consolidation before joining the Regional Office of Education in 2010. He has served as Assistant Regional Superintendent since 2015, working closely with Meixner to guide the office through its consolidation and continued growth.
“My focus is to ensure a smooth transition and continue the strong foundation John and our team have built,” Demler said. “We have an outstanding staff and a culture of professionalism that serves our schools well, and I am committed to maintaining that standard.”
Demler said his priorities moving forward will include maintaining a strong financial footing for the office, improving internal efficiency to better serve school districts, and continuing to invest in staff development.
“We will continue to be a reliable partner for our districts and communities,” Demler said. “That means being fiscally responsible, operating efficiently, and supporting the professional growth of our team so we can deliver the highest level of service possible.”
Sullivan, the former principal of Macomb High School, joined ROE26 prior to the 2025-2026 academic year. In his role as director of services, he was responsible for overseeing student services, including the ROYALS program, truancy and early childhood programs. He was named principal at Macomb High in 2019, after serving as principal for five years at West Prairie High School.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and continue working with the great people across our region. John has built a strong foundation at ROE26, and I’m fortunate to be part of such a dedicated and talented team,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to supporting our districts and working alongside Dave and our team in serving ROE26.
Sullivan served as the West Prairie School District’s assistant principal and middle school interim principal from 2009-2014 and 2008-2009, respectively. He also taught business education for 11 years with the district. Sullivan earned his education specialist degree and master’s in education from WIU. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from WIU and from Blackburn College.
