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Galesburg Selects Next School Superintendent

T.J. Carson
The search for a new superintendent of the Galesburg #205 School District began in October.

The Galesburg School District has selected Ralph Grimm to be its next Superintendent.  Grimm is no stranger to the region, having led the West Central School District in Henderson County for the last ten years.

Credit West Central School District
Current West Central School District Superintendent Ralph Grimm is selected to take over Galesburg's school district.

The district started its search last October following current Superintendent Bart Arthur's announcement that he would be retiring this summer.

Michael Panther, Galesburg School Board President, said in a news release that Grimm "brings a strong background in school finance as well as excellent instructional leadership."

Grimm's hiring could become official by the end of the week.  The school board must still conduct a formal vote and a contract must be finalized.

Grimm said he's looking forward to taking on some of the challenges facing the district.

“There’s some work that needs to be done to repair the working relationship with the Galesburg Education Association, and that’s something that I’m anxious to get started on.  And then, district finances.  That’s a challenge for districts across the state,” Grimm said.

Grimm said he wants to find common ground between the administration and the teacher’s union to move forward.

Meanwhile, the West Central School District is already working to develop a profile for its next superintendent.  That effort will be led by a focus group of parents and community members.