Urbana hires Barkstall Elementary School principal for administrative role
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A principal at a Champaign elementary school is leaving for an administrator position within the Urbana School District.
Two new administrative roles were approved at the Urbana Board of Education’s meeting Tuesday night. The Board approved the appointment of Chasity Beckless for the Director of Equity and School Improvement and Jessica Bradford as Director of Curriculum and Student Learning.
Urbana Dual Language School chosen in 4-3 vote
Beckless currently serves as principal for Lincoln Elementary School in Evanston. She previously worked as an equity leader for the “Urbana Leading for Equity” initiative and as a Equity Programming Assistant Principal for the Champaign school district.
Bradford has worked as Barkstall Elementary School’s principal since 2018. She also worked at the Danville School District and at Urbana High School in her more than 20 years in education.
“The Urbana School District welcomes these two leaders back to the Urbana Community,” a news release from the district reads.
Bradford is not the first Champaign elementary school principal with plans to leave their job. Craig Keer, the current Carrie Busey Elementary school principal, is leaving the Champaign school district for Urbana’s Leal Elementary. Jaime Roundtree, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy’s principal, is also leaving his position, his lawyer previously told WCIA.
Both Beckless and Bradford’s appointments start July 1.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
