Morton's superintendent will retire next year. They've named his replacement

The Morton school system will get a new leader next year.

Morton Community Unit School District #709 Superintendent Craig Smock announced he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. The board of education recently named assistant superintendent Joseph Sander as a replacement.

Sander is responsible for human resource functions and district operations to support seven educational centers serving more than 3,300 students. He has 20 years of administrative experience spanning the education of students from elementary to the high school level in Washington, East Peoria, and Morton.

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“Dr. Sander has done an outstanding job in his current capacity,” said David Cross, Morton's school board president. “He is a fantastic leader and an even better person. The board looks forward to working with him to continue the district’s priorities in preparing our students for the future.”

Smock had been working with Morton CUSD #709 since 2007, serving as assistant superintendent for 15 years before becoming superintendent in 2022.

“It has been a sincere blessing to serve our students and community … over the past 17 years,” Smock said. “I look forward to one more year of working alongside the board, administration, and teachers to achieve the many goals that we have set.”

Smock heartily endorsed Sander as his successor, expressing the “utmost confidence” in his ability to effectively lead the district into the future. “He is an excellent communicator and wants Morton 709 to continue to be a place where students, educators, and families thrive,” Smock added.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton schools superintendent to retire, district finds replacement