February 25, 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

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

Project honoring service members to be continued

March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019

The SJO Service Member Project is being reinstated thanks to two local women. Mindy Reynolds and Lee Janusch want to...

Live at SJO school board, August 22, 2022

August 22, 2022

August 22, 2022

I am here at school board! Greg Smith has volunteered to drive extracurricular. There’s a super long list of personnel...

SJO seniors earn $2 million in scholarships

June 14, 2019

June 14, 2019

The senior class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School received $2 million in scholarship money. Principal Gary Page told the Board...

Cunningham wants to help Homer grow

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Ray Cunningham feels he has unfinished business.  Cunningham is running for reelection as Homer’s mayor on April 6.  “I am...

Local meteorologist’s love of weather started as a child

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

While the Internet may have people believing anyone with a computer can predict the weather, the former Director of the...

SJO 2021-2022 1st Quarter High Honor Roll

October 29, 2021

October 29, 2021

Freshmen Barton, RylieBeckett, EJBenoit, AudreyBonny, SarahBrown, LandonClampitt, MadisonCoffey, HaydenDavenport, AerolynDewese, LaurenDietiker, EllaDitchfield, LukeEnnis, JacksonFranzen, SavannaFunk, AddisonGaines, KaidenGerdes, TaytonGetty, OliviaHamilton, MakennahHarms,...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

10 Things you don’t know about me… Terri Rein

November 6, 2019

November 6, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

7th Grade High Honor Roll Ahart, Lillian Albrecht, Samuel Barbee, Zhou Burnett, Colin Clark, Elizabeth Crider, Abigail Dahl, Hayden Davis,...

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village. Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of...

Live at SJO school board, April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

I am at SJO school board so you don’t have to be. Emily Williams has resigned as dance coach after...

10 things you don’t know about me… Vickie Reese

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident to tell us 10 interesting things about themselves. This week we asked Vickie...

2021 SJO honors night

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

On Wednesday St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the winners of scholarships. The winners are listed below. National Merit Scholarship (commendation)...

Proposal would expand Sports Complex

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

Jim Page has a vision for the Sports Complex. The St. Joseph resident feels Woodard Family Park is under utilized...

Comments
Leave a Reply