On April 15, via Facebook, it was announced that Mr. Chad LeCrone will be welcomed into the Ram Family as the new Superintendent, beginning July 1.

Mr. LeCrone comes to MV from Richland County (Olney) and has gained all of his experience from that district.

“I have spent my entire education career up to this point in the Richland County School District. I taught physical education and math at the high school for ten years before moving into the assistant principal role for the next ten years. In addition, I also served as the athletic director for the last six years of my tenure as assistant principal. I then moved over to be the principal of the middle school for one year before returning to the high school as the principal for the next four years. Finally, I have spent the last five years serving as the assistant superintendent for the district,” described Mr. LeCrone.

On the educational side, Mr. LeCrone has gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University, a Specialist Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University, and a Chief School Business Official Endorsement from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

With much experience under his belt, Mr. LeCrone’s goals mirror what he has learned over the years, and will implement said goals into MV during his time as Superintendent.

“I will be working with the Board of Education to develop goals for myself and the district. The main thing I want is to continue to provide opportunities for all students at MVTHS and equip them with the tools that allow them to reach their highest level of potential. One of my personal goals for this first year is to spend a lot of time developing positive, professional relationships with the faculty, staff, and students. My other personal goal is to spend a lot of time listening to others and learning about all of the great things going on in MVTHS District No. 201,” stated Mr. LeCrone.

A key to having a good relationship with your staff, students, and faculty is creating a positive relationship with MV and its community. Mr. LeCrone has already planned for how he will construct said relationships.

“I am a big believer in being immersed within the community. The superintendent is the face of the school district and has to be engaged with the community. I have been very active in the community of Olney over my career and plan to become involved in the Mt. Vernon community as well. One of the things I have planned is to hold a listening tour with the various stakeholder groups within the district during the first few months. I want to hear from the community about the current strengths of the district and areas in which we need to continue to grow. Additionally, there are a lot of great businesses and industries in Mt. Vernon and the surrounding area. I want to make sure we are maximizing opportunities to form partnerships with local businesses and industries to help fill the future needs of the community by providing our students with the skills to be successful,” said Mr. LeCrone.

Sticking to the relationships side, Mr. LeCrone is firmly committed to ensuring everyone inside MV is heard, including students and staff, which will ultimately drive the district’s success forward.

“I look forward to the opportunity to get to know the students at MVTHS. First, I want to ensure that all students feel safe at school and that we are doing everything we can to create a positive learning environment for all students and staff. I will be visible around the campus and will interact with students as much as I can. I will also be active in attending school-sponsored events throughout the school year. Finally, I want to hear from students regarding what they like about MVTHS and suggestions on how we can create a more meaningful educational experience for all students,” stated Mr. LeCrone.

After five years as an Assistant Superintendent, it was only a matter of time until Mr. LeCrone would make his way into the main role. With the unfortunate moving-on of Mrs. Andrews, the opportunity had fallen right into his lap.

“There were several things that enticed me to apply for the MVTHS Superintendent opening. First, I am a very goal-oriented person and I’ve had a goal to become a superintendent for a number of years. Also, a vast majority of my professional career has been in the high school setting, so a high school district seemed like a natural fit for me. I have attended several meetings on the MVTHS campus over the last few years and have been very impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities. Finally, in addition to meeting with the Board of Education for my interview, I had the chance to meet several members of the faculty/staff as well as some community members. It was evident that all of these groups of people were very passionate about MVTHS and their community,” described Mr. LeCrone. 

During his free time, Mr. LeCrone has a variety of interests, many of which MV can provide to him.

“I enjoy spending time with my family, watching and attending sporting events, listening to music and going to concerts, and officiating basketball,” said Mr. LeCrone.

Mrs. Andrews stepping away from the district is a very upsetting situation overall and we at Vernois News wish her the absolute best in her future, but it is reassuring to know that Mr. LeCrone being her successor is shaping out to be an amazing choice.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and community as the next Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Township High School District No. 201. I want to thank the Board of Education for putting their trust in me to help lead this district while continuing to build upon the rich tradition of success in the district. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Mrs. Andrews for her excellent leadership in the district over the last four years. Finally, to the staff and students, I look forward to working together to Build a Better World, One Ram at a Time,” exclaimed Mr. LeCrone.

MVTHS Superintendent History 1904-05 – 2024-25  (120th Year)

1904-05 – 1945-46 or 1946-47 Silas Echols Principal

1946-47 – 1949-50 Robert McConnell Principal

1950-51 – 1955-56 Arthur Millward Principal

1956-57 – 1960-61 Arthur Millward Superintendent (1956-57 – first time title used)

1961-62 – 1965-66 Eltis Henson Superintendent

1966-67 – 1988 Dr. J.D. Shields* Superintendent

1988-89 – 2000 Dr. Pat Garrett Superintendent

2001 (Second Semester) Dr. Jerry Pepple Interim Superintendent

2001-02 – 2003-04 Dr. Jay Sabatino Superintendent

2004-05 – 2008-09 Terry Milt Superintendent

2009-10 – 2016-17 Dr. Mike Smith Superintendent

2016-17 Mrs. Marilyn Holt/Dr. Kelly Stewart Interim Superintendents

2017-18 – 2019-20 Jeff Fritchtnitch Superintendent

2020-21 – 2023-24 Mrs. Melanie Andrews Superintendent 

2024-25 – Chad LeCrone Superintendent 

*Dr. Shields passed away on September 19, 1988