DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Decatur Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday night to name Dr. Rochelle Clark as the new Superintendent of District #61.
"The goal for me is to increase academic test scores and you've already heard Mr. Dase talk about we're already on the start for that. So our new sense of normalcy and just making sure that our kids get the resources and the help that we need as we move this district forward," Dr. Clark told WAND News following the board meeting Tuesday night.
Dr. Clark served as the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services for DPS since August 2021. In a release, Decatur Public Schools said she started her career in education in 1992 as a special education teacher aid.
She has served in Decatur Public Schools as a Director of Student Services and as an Assistant Principal in 3 DPS schools.
"I've been doing this for almost 30 years. I started as a TA in special education, and now I'm the superintendent. I've played in all the roles, teacher, administrator of the building- I get it and I know exactly what needs to be done," Dr. Clark explained.
The Board of Education voted 6-1 at Tuesday night's meeting to appoint Dr. Clark to the position and approved a 3-year contract. The dissenting vote came from Board member Kevin Collins-Brown, who echoed community members' concerns about the way in which Dr. Clark was selected.
"She applied after the deadline and we still interviewed her. But we had 2 other internal candidates who applied before the deadline and they were never given an interview," Collins-Clark explained.
The Board of Education had already interviewed two top candidates. Michael Gaal and Dr. Malika Savoy-Brooks both visited the district and participated in a virtual community town hall. But weeks after that public meeting, the board decided not to offer either the job.
"She [Dr. Malika Savoy Brooks] was clearly the best choice. Dan, Andrew, Bobbi, Cathy and Deanne- it is clear to anyone with eyes that she was denied because of white fear and fragility," Jacob Jenkins said during public comment.
"Give us an opportunity to see why the board chose her. Set her up for success because unfortunately the flaws in this process have already affected the community's views and trust in her," an email from Melanie Ishmael, read aloud at the meeting, said.
But with a majority vote from the board, Dr. Clark said she wants to move forward in her new position- focusing not on politics, but on the kids.
"What do I need to do to provide the best for our kids- because they're going to be our future," Dr. Clark said.
Dr. Clark will continue to work with the Interim Superintendent Bobbi Williams, as she transitions into the role of superintendent on Wednesday, February 9.
She plans to participate in a virtual town hall, so community members have the opportunity to get to know her. WAND News will keep you updated on this developing story.
