December 9, 2022
R-B Parents,
As previously announced Mr. Tom Welsh will retire as the Roanoke Benson Superintendent and Sowers Elementary Principal effective June 30, 2023. At a special board meeting held this morning, the Board of Education approved an action item to hire Mr. John Streit to replace Mr. Welsh in these roles effective July 1, 2023 upon his retirement. The Board leveraged resources and expertise from staff at the Illinois Association of School Boards as part of the process to hire a new superintendent, and Mr. Streit stood out as the most qualified candidate to lead our district among several that were interviewed.
We appreciate Mr. Welsh's leadership over the past four years and his tireless work to continue RB's high standard of educating the children in our community, particularly during unprecedented times resulting from the global pandemic. Mr. Welsh and Mr. Streit will work together over the next several months to execute an orderly transition of responsibilities.
While the Board will miss working with Mr. Welsh in his leadership role for the district, we are also excited to welcome Mr. Streit to his new role. This is the most important decision a school board can make and we are confident that Mr. Streit can build on R-B's long history of providing high quality learning opportunities for our students.
Mr. Streit's educational background includes fifteen years in teaching roles at Deer Creek - Mackinaw and Eureka, nine years as principal of RBJHS, and six months as RB's Assistant Superintendent and High School Athletic Director. He has a strong understanding of the specific educational needs of our community and has a proven record of success in leading staff to build an exceptional learning environment.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Streit, and wishing him well in his new roles.
R-B Board of Education
Brad Sauder, President
Todd Meinhold, Vice President
Leslie Cargill, Secretary
Todd Harris
Neil Heineke
Jeremy Hilton
Zack Sauder