Urbana School Board approves two administrators for restructured middle school

The Urbana School District 116 Board of Education voted to appoint Amani Carr as administrator of the new Urbana Middle School sixth-grade center and Melissa Karns as principal of Urbana Middle School 7–8, approving the hires by roll call after committee recommendations.

Both candidates were advanced through a two-stage interview process in January. HR staff told the board that level-one and level-two committees — which included staff, families and administrators — interviewed five candidates and recommended Carr and Karns based on those panels' evaluations. The board moved, seconded and approved the recommendations by roll call.

Carr, introduced by the administration, described a long personal and professional connection to the district and said she looked forward to the role. "I'm so excited and honored to be given this opportunity; I'm looking forward to being the first leader of the Urbana Middle School sixth-grade Center," Carr said. The board packet summarizes her teaching and administrative experience in Urbana and neighboring districts.

Karns, who has worked in Urbana schools as a teacher and instructional coach and most recently served as assistant principal, told the board she is "super beyond elated" to serve in the new role and thanked the interview teams for their trust. The packet notes her experience in instructional leadership and prior roles in Champaign Unit 4.

The motion to approve the appointments passed on a roll call in which members Baxley, Langendorf, Vice President Exom, President Palowski and Member Hixon voted yes. The board offered applause and brief remarks of congratulations following the vote.

The appointments take effect for the 2025–26 school year as the district restructures middle-school leadership; the board did not specify additional administrative implementation steps at the meeting.