The Unit 4 Board of Education approved four administrative appointments during its April 11th meeting.
Dr. Scott Savage was named Principal of Centennial High School. Dr. Savage began his career in education in January 1998 here in Champaign as a part-time Social Studies Teacher at Centennial High School. In August 1998, he accepted a Social Studies Teacher position with Whitney Young Magnet High School (Chicago, IL) and held that position for two years. Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, Scott rejoined Unit 4 Schools as a Social Science Teacher and, later, Dean of Students at Centennial High School. In 2006, he relocated to the Chicago Suburbs where he joined Thornton Township High School and served as a Social Studies Teacher and Dean of Students. In August 2008, he was appointed as Assistant Principal-Discipline and Freshmen Academy Principal at Thornton. He held this position for four years before being appointed Principal at MacArthur Middle School with Berkeley SD 87 (Berkeley, IL) in 2012. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, Dr. Savage became the Principal at Oswego East High School in Oswego, IL. After serving two years there, Scott accepted a principalship with Bloom Township High School District 206 in Bloom Township, IL. In August 2019, he accepted a position with the East Aurora School District (Aurora, IL) as Assistant Principal of Allen Elementary School. Dr. Savage will leave this position to rejoin Unit 4 as the Principal of Centennial High School.
Scott was an active duty member of the United States Marine Corps from 1988-1992; he served in the Marine Barracks Security Forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and in Operation Desert Storm. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from the University of Illinois (1998) and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University (2006). He earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL (2021). Dr. Savage’s doctoral thesis focused on Restorative Practices and he is a Trainer for the National Institute of Restorative Practices. He has extensive experience helping students and staff grow socially and emotionally, focuses his leadership on relationships and community building, and inspires others to learn from and overcome personal struggles.
Scott has grown tremendously on a personal and professional level since he left Champaign almost two decades ago and is excited to bring everything he has learned back to his alma mater. His appointment is effective July 1, 2022.
Ms. Jacquelyn Douglas was appointed as the Assistant Principal/Summer School Principal at Garden Hills Academy. Ms. Douglas began her career in education in 2009 as a Behavior Intervention Specialist with the READY Program (Champaign, IL). After relocating to Kentucky in October 2015, she accepted a position as Social Worker at Sacred Heart Home (Louisville, KY). Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, Ms. Douglas returned to the READY Program as an Attendance Improvement Specialist. In August 2017, she joined Unit 4 as a School Social Worker at Garden Hills Academy. Ms. Douglas will transition to her new role as an Assistant Principal/Summer School Principal at Garden Hills Academy.
Ms. Douglas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Illinois State University (2007). She earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2009). Ms. Douglas will complete her Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership in May 2022 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Jacquelyn’s knowledge of culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices as well as her commitment to excellence will serve students, staff, and families well both during the regular school year at Garden Hills and across the District over the summer. The effective date of Ms. Douglas’s appointment as Assistant Principal/Summer School Principal of Garden Hills Academy is July 1, 2022 (pending licensure finalization).
Mr. Brian Alexander was appointed as the Assistant Principal/Summer School Principal at Stratton Academy. Mr. Alexander began his career in education in August 2001 as a Special Education Teacher at Washington Elementary School in Clinton, Illinois. He served in this position for four school terms. He left education for one year but returned in August 2006 as a Special Education Teacher at Mt. Pulaski High School, where he served for five school terms. Brian then accepted a position with Heyworth High School as a Special Education Teacher. From February 2015-August 2016, he was a teacher for special education students at The Pavilion Day School in Champaign. Joining Unit 4 Schools in August 2016, Mr. Alexander has served as an ED/Self-Contained Teacher at Jefferson Middle School, a Special Education Teacher at Barkstall Elementary, a District ED Itinerant Teacher, one of the APs at Stratton Academy.
Mr. Alexander attended Lincoln Christian University for two years and then transferred to Illinois State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Deaf Education in December 2000 and his LBS1/Special Education licensure in August 2003. He earned his Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership in May 2020 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Brian is committed to ensuring the District’s summer programs are both supportive and enriching for students. The effective date of his appointment as Assistant Principal/Summer School of Stratton Academy is April 12, 2022.
Mr. Bradley Carriveau was named as the Director of Transportation. In February 2022, Mr. Carriveau joined Unit 4 as an Assistant Director of Transportation. Prior to joining the District, Brad served as a Substitute Bus Driver for Franklin Community Township School Corporation in Indianapolis, IN (2013), Assistant Transportation Director at Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation in Mishawaka, IN (2014), Routing Specialist at Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in Indianapolis, IN (2014-2015), Transportation Manager at Stevens Point Area Public School District in Stevens Point, WI (2015-2017), Director of Transportation at Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood Village, CO (2017-2018), GIS Transportation Technician I at Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV (2018-2019), Director of Transportation at Eagle County School District in Eagle, CO (2019-2020), Director of Transportation-Operations at Rio Rancho Public School District in Rio Rancho, NM (2020-2021), and Supervisory Program Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Health Administration in Des Moines, IA (2021-2022).
Mr. Carriveau also served in the United State Navy from August 2001-January 2010. He held a supervisory role as a Leading Petty Officer beginning in December 2006. Brad earned his Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management from DeVry University (Indianapolis, IN) in June 2015. Mr. Carriveau has extensive Transportation leadership experience and expertise in routing, staff recruitment and training, and other related areas that are essential for the District at this time. His appointment will ensure we continue to move Transportation forward in a positive way in response to the feedback we have received in recent weeks and months.
The effective date of Mr. Carriveau’s appointment as Director of Transportation is March 31, 2022.