PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Public Schools has found its new leader, as well as his right-hand man.
On Monday night, the district hired Dr. Jerry Bell as the next superintendent, taking over the role from Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat. Bell’s three-year contract is effective July 1st, 2026.
Bell returns to PPS, where he worked for eight years in roles, such as Academic Instructional Officer and Executive Director of Middle Schools. He calls the new job an “awesome responsibility.”
“With your partnership, working hand-in-hand, we’re going to move this district to greater heights,” Bell said in a speech to the board after the vote to hire him.
Though he did not go into many details about the plan at the meeting, Bell says he is looking forward to implementing a 100 day plan that includes town halls with the community.
Bell told the crowd that during his second interview, he requested the district to create a deputy superintendent position. He envisions the role to be someone who could be a “thought partner” that he can build trust with.
The other finalist for the superintendent position, Peoria Richwoods High School Assistant Principal Dr. Renee Andrews, was hired as deputy superintendent. Bell says the opportunity to work with her will lead to “great things on the horizon.”
Andrews also spoke to the board after being hired to the role, thanking everyone who supported her in her journey. She says the job is about partnership, and is looking forward to working with Dr. Bell.
The votes to approve both Bell and Andrews, as well as the creation of the deputy superintendent role, were each five yays, no nays, and two abstaining. Board members Brenda Wilson and Christina Rose both abstained from all three voters, citing their problems with the hiring process as the reason.
Wilson read from a prepared statement prior to the votes. She blasted From the Heart for a lack of access to candidates. Wilson claims that while all 14 candidates were known, deeper information was only available for four candidates, with the information only available in binders at the district office.
“When you limit access to information, you are limiting the effectiveness of our board, and hindering our overall success, which trickles down to the entire district,” Wilson said.
Rose’s concerns with the hiring process echoed Wilson’s comments about access to candidates, as well as incorrect job postings for the position.
Despite the votes to abstain, both Wilson and Rose stated they would fully support Bell as superintendent.
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