Carol Kilver grew up in central Illinois and spent most of her professional career in the region. So after a couple years of working in Indiana, she jumped at the chance to become the new superintendent of the West Prairie School District.
“I just can’t quit smiling,” Kilver told the crowd gathered for the announcement in the West Prairie Middle School library.
“(When a) community trusts you to run the public school system that impacts their future, it really truly is a humbling experience.”
Kilver will be paid $115,000 during the first year of her three-year contract with West Prairie. She takes over July 1, 2016 and will replace Dr. Jonathan Heerboth, who is retiring.
Kilver received her teaching degree from Illinois College and earned her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois Springfield. She’s currently working on her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership at Western Illinois University.
She said most of her work experience was with the Jacksonville and Scott-Morgan School Districts. She’s currently Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction with the Lafayette School Corporation in Lafayette, Indiana.
“You know what I saw with West Prairie? I got the hometown feel, I got the small school feel where you walk the halls and the kids will know your name,” Kilver said, adding she was also drawn to the district by progressive programs such as its one-to-one initiative.
Board of Education President Matt Zimmerman said the board was drawn to Kilver was a couple reasons.
“Some of the districts she's worked in are very similar to our district in size (and) in location,” Zimmerman said.
“And just her personality. The way she interacted with some of our staff during the interview process.”
