News

Celebrating the new superintendent

Celebrating the new superintendent

Members of historically Black fraternities and sororities surround Terrance Jordan after his appointment as District 186 superintendent, Feb. 2, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – This much is clear: Terrance Jordan (pictured, center) made a real impression.

“This is about to be the easiest vote I have ever made,” said District 186 school board member Sarah Blissett , “with a resounding, (emphatic) Yes! Absolutely! No doubt in my mind!”

Jordan, the district’s assistant superintendent of family, community, and school leadership, was the unanimous choice Monday to succeed Jennifer Gill as superintendent, effective July 1.

Packing the board room Monday were members of the “Divine Nine” – historically Black fraternities and sororities. Jordan is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

“We are excited that a member of one of our member organizations has been chosen to lead the district,” said Jeanette Goza, representing the Springfield National Panhellenic Council. “We are ready and willing to support and work as needed to move d 186 forward.”

After the unanimous vote, Jordan said of the “Divine Nine,” “One of our founding principles is achievement on every level, and we aim to achieve, we give back to the community and do a lot of work in supporting mentorship. We support all kinds of activist organizations and programs that are going to support our community.”

Jordan and the district have agreed to a three-year contract with a base salary of $230,000 annually.

Recent Headlines

15 hours ago in National, Trending

Iran and the US lean into gunboat diplomacy as nuclear talks hang in balance

Iran and the United States leaned into gunboat diplomacy on Thursday as nuclear talks between the nations hung in the balance....

15 hours ago in Music

U2’s new music honors Renee Good and draws inspiration from world events

U2 is returning with its first collection of new songs in nearly a decade, opening with a tribute to Renee Good...

16 hours ago in Trending, World

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over ties to Epstein

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...

16 hours ago in Music

A rare Paul McCartney and Wings trove heads to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this summer

A collection of Paul McCartney instruments, outfits, handwritten lyrics, unseen photos and tour memorabilia will be part of an exhibit at...

1 day ago in Entertainment

A movie that takes liberties with ‘Wuthering Heights’? Scholars are OK with that

If you're looking for someone to debate the new "Wuthering Heights" movie with, you might want to start with Lucasta Miller. She's a British author, editor and critic who has published an acclaimed study of the Brontë sisters and wrote the preface for the Penguin Classics edition of "Wuthering Heights."