Gordon is newest superintendent at Meridian

July 7, 2022 80

MACON — After an exhaustive, extensive independent search, the Meridian CUSD #15 Board of Education now has a new superintendent. The Board announces the hiring of Dr. Shane Gordon as the next superintendent of District 15.

Dr. Gordon will come to Meridian from the Bluford school district near Mt. Vernon, who has served as superintendent for the past four years.

“The Board is very happy to have reached the culmination of this process with the hiring of Dr. Gordon,” Meridian board president Monte Hogan. “The Board is pleased that this process was conducted without the use of any external search firms.”

Hogan said the internal process saved a significant amount of tax dollars. Moreover, that savings will now be put to use towards other educational needs.

“We had a very strong interest in this position from a pool of very diverse and qualified candidates,” Hogan adds. “In the end, Dr. Gordon separated himself as the candidate that the Board wished to pursue.”

Dr. Gordon will take over from current superintendent Andy Pygott. Pygott is retiring at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year.

The transition, however, will not be immediate. Dr. Gordon will take over from current superintendent Andy Pygott on July 1, 2023, to kick off the 2023-24 academic year. Pygott is retiring at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year.

Gordon Meridian CUSD #15 — Pictured is the Gordon family from left to right: Dewey, Jessica, Beau, Lyla, Mack, and Dr. Shane Gordon. Gordon will assume the role of Meridian’s superintendent, taking over for the retiring Andy Pygott on July 1, 2023. PHOTO COURTESY MERIDIAN CUSD #15

Educational resume of Dr. Gordon

He started his career in education with the Spoon River Valley school district teaching high school history. He would also coach football, basketball, and track.

Since then, Dr. Gordon has also served stints in the Winchester and Abingdon-Avon school districts before moving on to Bluford.

Dr. Gordon is originally from Abingdon, where his parents Jim and Carolyn raised him with his sister Kate. He attended school in the Abingdon district. In addition, he is a graduate of Abingdon High School. He would receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Monmouth College. Additionally, he would earn his Master’s Degree from Bradley University, and his Doctorate from Western Illinois University.

Upon arrival, he will reside within the school district with his wife Jessica. They have four children Lyla, Beau, Mack, and Dewey.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.