Urbana SD 116 board approves three administrative hires, including Urbana High assistant principal

The Urbana SD 116 Board of Education voted to approve three administrative personnel recommendations during the study session.

Antje, speaking for central office administration, presented the recommendations and asked the board to approve Sean Smith for assistant principal at Urbana High School effective July 1, 2025; Derek Ealy to serve at Urbana Middle School; and Lydia Wong to serve as principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. “So it is the administration's request to approve Sean Smith to serve as assistant principal at Urbana High School, Derek Ealy to serve as the associate principal at Urbana Middle School, and Lydia Wong to serve as the principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School,” Antje said.

Each candidate was invited to speak briefly. Sean Smith thanked the board and said he was honored and grateful for the opportunity to return to his alma mater. Derek Ealy and Lydia Wong each expressed appreciation and described their interest in serving Urbana students.

A motion to approve the administrative personnel items was made, seconded, and carried by roll call. The clerk called each member by name: Member Jones (yes), Member Hixson (yes), Member Baxley (yes), Member Langendorff (yes), Vice President Exum (yes), President Pawlowski (yes), and Member Statton (yes). The board and administration offered congratulations to the appointees.

The action recorded at the meeting was an approval of the recommended administrative hires; no amendments or conditions were recorded on the motion.