08-08-2025
Six Tazewell County schools will have new principals for the new school year
With the 2025-26 school year fast approaching, it is time to get to know the leaders of schools around the Peoria area. With the arrival of several new Tazewell County principals, many students in Creve Coeur, East Peoria, Morton, and Pekin will see new faces behind the desk in the principal's office.
Here are six new principals in East Peoria, Creve Coeur, Morton and Pekin.
April McLaughlin, Neil A. Armstrong School, East Peoria
McLaughlin previously worked in Rankin Community School District 98 in Pekin, where she served as principal at Rankin School for 11 years. She replaced Daren Lowery, who announced his retirement in May. Located at 1848 Highview Road, Neil A. Armstrong Elementary School is a primary school for students from pre-kindergarten through second grade. It is part of East Peoria Elementary School District 86.
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Richie Benson, Glendale Elementary School, East Peoria
Benson took the helm as Glendale's principal after previously working as an administrator in Peoria Public Schools District 150. He replaced Terrie Armstrong, who retired at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Glendale Elementary School serves third- through fifth-grade students and is located at 1000 Bloomington Road. It is part of East Peoria Elementary School District 86.
Jason Thompson, LaSalle Elementary School, Creve Coeur
Thompson replaced former principal Kayla Woods, who announced in May that she is moving on to a new position as the director of curriculum and instruction for District 76. LaSalle Elementary School is a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade institution located at 300 N. Highland Street. It is part of Creve Coeur School District 76.
Jamie Adolphson, Jefferson Elementary School, Morton
Adolphson steps into the principal's role after seven years as Morton High School's assistant principal and associate principal. She replaced Kate Wyman, who had been Jefferson's principal since 2015 and is now in a job with the district. Located at 200 N. Jefferson Street, Jefferson Elementary School teaches kindergarten through sixth grade students. It is part of Morton Community Unit School District 709.
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Wendy Vastine, Lincoln Elementary School, Morton
Vastine succeeds previous principal Julie Horchem after serving as Lincoln's assistant principal. Lincoln Elementary School is located at 100 S. Nebraska Avenue and educates kindergarten through sixth-grade students. It is part of Morton Community Unit School District 709.
Nick Beard, Rankin School, Pekin
With former principal April McLaughlin moving on to a new role as principal at East Peoria's Neil A. Armstrong School, Beard is taking on a second role as Rankin School's principal. He is also Rankin's athletic director. Rankin School serves rural Pekin and educates students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located at 15716 Fifth Street and is part of Rankin School District 98.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The new school year is bringing six new principals to Tazewell County
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