The Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at Woodlawn School District has been hired as the new Superintendent of the Odin School District.
Belinda Kirgan will replace Kimberly Briggs who is leaving June 30th to take the Superintendent’s job in the Chester School District.
Kirgan is no stranger to the Odin School District. She earlier spent three and a half years at the school as guidance counselor, curriculum director and dean of students.
“My goal is at Odin to continue in the direction as they are going. They have a lot of things going on with curriculum and the high school is getting totally remodeled. I think Mrs. Briggs and Mr. Marcum have done a fantastic job and I would just like to continue to do what they have been doing.”
Kirgan is glad to see high school next year getting additional class offerings through Okaw Vocational Center in Vandalia, Kaskaskia College, and in some co-op programs with Sandoval and Patoka High Schools.
Kirgan began her career in education as a teacher at Centralia High School for 17 years and ten years at SIU-Carbondale overseeing student teachers. Kirgan attended Salem High until her freshman year and graduated from Weber Township High School in Bluford.
Superintendent Briggs reported they have had a kickoff meeting for the major summer renovation work concentrated on the three story high school building.
The goal is still to have all major work completed by the start of school in August. The first day for students will be August 12th. In other action, the Odin School Board has hired Oppa Food Service to operate the school cafeteria. However, the cafeteria workers will remain on the Odin School staff.
KD Lynch was hired as the new school social worker, replacing Sarah Loepker who has resigned.
In other personnel news, Mike Honerkamp resigned as junior high girls basketball coach, Grant Carmen resigned as Junior High Boys basketball coach, and Staci Roberts as Junior High Cheerleading Coach. The board hired Pippie Harrman as the new student council sponsor, and Dave Spears to continue next year as junior high girls softball coach.
