Meet the 20 principals at Morton and Pekin schools, including 3 new ones (2024)

Correction: Steve Ross is in his first year as principal at Broadmoor Junior High School in Pekin. The school's principal was incorrect in previous editions of this story.

As students in Morton and Pekin return to school for the 2024-25 academic year, there are four new principals among the 20 schools listed here.

Morton Community Unit School District 709

El Higus, Ward Grundy Elementary School: Higus is entering her first year as a principal. She began her District 709 career in 2017 as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School and has worked for the district as an instructional coach since 2022. An elementary school for kindergarten through sixth grade students, Ward Grundy is located at 1100 S. Fourth Avenue, Morton.
Kate Wyman, Jefferson Elementary School: Wyman has been Jefferson’s principal since 2015 and was previously a teacher at Morton’s Lincoln Elementary School and Lettie Brown Elementary School. Located at 200 N. Jefferson Street, Morton; Jefferson Elementary School teaches kindergarten through sixth grade students.
Faith Waterfield, Lettie Brown Elementary School: Lettie Brown’s principal since 2012, Waterfield’s prior roles three years as a social sciences teacher at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Illinois; and 13 years as a CUSD 709 social worker. Lettie Brown serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Its address is 2550 N. Morton Avenue, Morton.
Julie Horchem, Lincoln Elementary School: A Morton Community High School graduate, Horchem previously worked as an assistant principal at Thomas Metcalf School in Morton and as principal at Midland Elementary School in Lacon. Lincoln Elementary School is located at 100 S. Nebraska Avenue, Morton; and educates kindergarten through sixth grade students.
Chris Carter, Morton Junior High School: Before becoming principal in 2022, Carter was Morton Junior High School’s assistant principal for 16 years. Morton Junior High School’s curriculum is geared toward seventh and eighth grade students. Its address is 225 E. Jackson Street, Morton.
Kirk Edwards, Morton High School: The 2024-25 school year will be Edwards’ first as Morton High School’s principal. However, he spent five years as Morton High School’s assistant principal and six years as Eureka High School’s principal before returning to Morton. Morton High School is located at 350 N. Illinois Avenue, Morton.
Lindsay Franklin. Morton Academy: Franklin is also District 709’s director of student support services. Located at 260 Queenwood Road, Morton; the school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Pekin Public Schools District 108

Traci Craig, Altman Primary School: Craig is entering her second school year as Altman’s principal. Her earlier District 108 posts include terms as assistant principal at Willow Primary School and Wilson Intermediate School. Located at 1730 Highwood Avenue, Pekin; Altman Primary School serves kindergarten through third grade students.
Melissa Beckham, Dirksen Primary School: Beckham is entering her 22nd year as an educator and her 11th as Dirksen’s principal. She was previously the assistant principal at Broadmoor Junior High School. Dirksen Primary School educates kindergarten through third grade students and is located at 100 Koch Street, Pekin
Luke Arnsman, Jefferson Primary School: The coming school year will be Arnsman’s fifth as Jefferson’s principal. Before becoming Jefferson’s principal, he spent a total of seven years as assistant principal at Broadmoor Junior High School and Wilson Intermediate School. A primary school for kindergarten through third grade students, Jefferson is located at 900 S. Capitol Street, Pekin.
Annie Smith, C.B. Smith Primary School: Smith has 16 years of experience in education, including five years as an administrator. C.B. Smith Primary School serves kindergarten through third grade students and is located at 1314 Matilda Street, Pekin.
Matt Green, L.E. Starke Primary School: A District 108 veteran, Green is going to his 27th year working for the district. He previously served as principal at Wilson Intermediate School and is entering his 10th year as principal at L.E. Starke. The school educates kindergarten through third grade students. It is located at 1610 Holiday Drive, Pekin.
Amanda Rickenburg, Willow Primary School: A first-time principal, Rickenburg steeped into the role at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Her prior experience includes 10 years as a teacher and five years as a special education coordinator and administrator. Located at 1110 Veerman Avenue, Pekin; Willow serves students from kindergarten through third grade.
Erin Johnson, Washington Intermediate School: Johnson is going into her second year as Washington’s principal. Her previous experience includes four years as assistant principal at Central Primary School in Washington. Washington Intermediate School is at 501 Washington Street, Pekin; and provides learning for fourth through sixth grade students.
Josh Norman, Wilson Intermediate School: Norman has been working in District 108 for 25 years. The coming school year will be his ninth as Wilson’s principal. Previous positions include four years as assistant principal at Washington Intermediate School and four years as principal at Altman Primary School, Wilson Intermediate School teaches fourth through sixth grade students and is located at 900 Koch Street, Pekin.
Steve Ross, Broadmoor Junior High School: Broadmoor is a learning institution for sixth through eighth grade students located at 501 Maywood Avenue, Pekin. This is Ross' first year in the role after two years as assistant at Washington Intermediate School in Pekin and the four prior years at Broadmoor.
Bill Heisel, Edison Junior High School: Heisel became Edison’s principal in 2008 after serving as the school’s assistant principal for two years. Edison Junior High School educates sixth through eighth grade students. The school’s address is 1400 Earl Street, Pekin.
Karla Kenny, Preschool Family Education Center: The Preschool Family Education Center offers pre-kindergarten programs and is located at 1000 Koch Street, Pekin.

Other principals:Meet the school leaders in East Peoria and Washington

Pekin Community High School District 303

Shayla Ewing, Pekin Community High School: Ewing is starting her first year as Pekin Community High School’s principal. She was previously the school’s assistant principal of curriculum. Pekin Community High School is located at 1903 Court Street, Pekin

Rankin Community School District 98

April McLaughlin, Rankin School: Rankin School serves rural Pekin and educates students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located at 15716 Fifth Street, Pekin.