George McKenna appointed to serve as Peoria County Regional Superintendent

The Peoria County Board is appointing George McKenna to serve as the next Peoria County Regional Superintendent, effective June 1.

McKenna has served as the Assistant Superintendent at the Peoria County Regional Office of Education since 2016. He succeeds Beth Crider, who is retiring at the end of May after serving as Regional Superintendent since 2014. Crider's current term expires in 2026.

McKenna's career in education spans three decades. Before coming to the Peoria County Regional Office of Education, McKenna has worked as a principal, assistant principal, dean of students, special education teacher, and physical education teacher at school districts around Illinois.

He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University; a Master of Science in Special Education from Illinois State University; and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Millikin University.

McKenna also has extensive school safety-related experience. He is a Certified Security Assessment Specialist and Certified Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Specialist. He is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and a member of ASIS International. He has worked as a Behavior Threat Assessment Trainor with Deisinger Consulting; and as an Education Administrator Academy Facilitator providing Illinois State Board of Education approved training to administrators in Illinois conducting safety site assessments for schools.

The Peoria County Regional Office of Education is the intermediate agency between the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts in Peoria County. The Office supervises school districts; advises and assists local school districts and teachers; and advocates for education by providing leadership and information for educators, school districts, and the public.