January 29, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is St. Joseph Grade School Superintendent Todd Pence.

This post is sponsored by St. Joseph Siding and Window.

What is the biggest challenge facing your district?
Biggest challenge – Since the growth in our community has stopped we have been faced with the financial challenge of trying to do more with less.  It’s been a constant battle for the last 7 – 8 years just to try and break even.

What was your biggest accomplishment this school year?
I believe my biggest accomplishment this year has been putting a new principal in place at the grade school that has changed the whole atmosphere within the the building.  

What projects is your district going to tackle next school year?
Academically the biggest change will be implementing a new science curriculum that we researched and recently adopted.   As far as building projects we are constantly dealing with HVAC issues, but we also have worked with a company to help us develop a five year plan to address all our roofs.  This summer our plan is to address the two worst sections of the grade school roof.  We are also looking at trying to do something with the parking lots here at the grade school.     

Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me… The Gary Olson Family

September 23, 2022

September 23, 2022

The GARY OLSON FAMILY is being inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame tonight. Gary and Nancy Olson and their...

PVO Jr High Seventh grade honor roll

April 27, 2023

April 27, 2023

7 th Grade Highest Honors (3.7-4.0)Tyler BonnyIsabella FrerichsCasen GoffGaby GomezKellyn IrwinRoyce LoschenLane McKinneyConnor McMahonAtleigh MillerAirin RashKeegan RobertsKorinne TravisEvelyn ValentineLucas WatersAdyn...

‘They want to show their support of the law enforcement and their family’

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

Jim and Jen Wagner support their community, so when a friend came in to their store, Wagner signs and Graphics,...

Sign ‘em up: SJO, Wagners help recognize high school seniors during pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Jordan Stiverson received a surprise when he looked out his window on Tuesday. SJO Principal...

SJO to stay with in-person instruction after Thanksgiving

November 16, 2020

November 16, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is going to stay with in-person instruction, Superintendent Brian Brooks announced Monday night. Last Thursday, Brooks...

Sorority gives grants to teachers

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

Psi Iota Xi is a National Sorority with local chapters in various midwestern states.  This philanthropic group helps people.  The...

Where to see Fireworks

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Area residents have numerous chances to see fireworks this weekend. This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events....

COVID cases not tied to schools

November 10, 2020

November 10, 2020

There have been no cases of COVID-19 traced to any of the schools in St. Joseph.   Grade school Superintendent...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

SJO HONOR ROLL

November 5, 2020

November 5, 2020

FreshmenAllen, ChloeAllinger, KadenBott, MyaBrown, KylerCarter, PaytonChahine, MayaHarbourt, JamesHayes, JayciJones, HoldenLannert, LaurenLeVeck, JakeMaroon, CarsonMcBride, SethMcMahon, ShannonStevens, MadisonSweet, ZoeyWaller, BraxtonWilson, Spencer SophomoresActon,...

Senior spotlight… Shelby McElroy

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Shelby McElroy. What will you be...

SJO hopeful to keep in-person learning through end of semester

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Six staff members at St. Joseph-Ogden High School are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or being a...

‘I have always known that the community of St. Joseph values and supports its schools’

November 7, 2023

November 7, 2023

Lance Landeck knows how important its schools are to St. Joseph. That’s why he applied to be the new superintendent...

Full STEM ahead for Powers

March 22, 2022

March 22, 2022

Katie Powers wants students to be engaged and excited about STEM topics. The Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient created a...

SJO 2022-2023 1st Quarter High Honor Roll

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

FRESHMANAden, CarolineAmes, TrevorBarrowman, KylieBarrowman, LexieBeyers, KaitlynBird, EmilyBonny, AidenBrooks, AddisonBytnar, SaraCampbell, ShelbyCarlson, JacobCarlson, WilliamChaudhary, RudraChilders, AdelynCrozier, CadeCruz, AdreonaDwyer, CalebEvans, CallieFranklin, WilliamGetty,...

Comments
Leave a Reply