Pleasant Valley names Kim Verheke associate principal at junior high; start date July 1

The Pleasant Valley Community School District introduced and confirmed Kim Verheke as the district’s new associate principal at Pleasant Valley Junior High; she will begin in the role on July 1.

Verheke’s appointment was included in the board’s consent agenda and approved earlier in the meeting when the board approved the consent items. The consent agenda motion to approve the meeting’s consent items passed on a voice vote before the item’s public introduction.

At the meeting Verheke summarized her background: “I taught five years previously in Sterling, Illinois… I taught 10 years over at the high school, and I’m in my third year now as CIA lead facilitator,” she said. Verheke said she looks forward to blending teacher support and student impact in the associate principal role.

Superintendent Mr. Strues said the position represents a reclassification of the existing dean‑of‑students work to a 12‑month associate principal role so junior high administrators can provide year‑round coverage similar to the high school. He described the hiring process: five internal candidates were interviewed the week of May 12 and Verheke was selected as the best fit for the role.

Board and administrative discussion outlined how duties will be allocated among the principal, associate principal and dean roles. Mr. Strues said the district intends to post and fill the resulting vacancy so the staffing sequence will move forward; he said interviews for the next position were expected the following week.

Verheke said she has worked in curriculum and professional development leadership roles in the district and will bring experience supporting teachers, PLCs and student interventions to the junior high.