Herscher Schools Set for Major Leadership Changes in 2026-27

Significant leadership transitions are set to reshape the Herscher Community Unit School District 2 in the upcoming 2026-27 school year. Three out of four schools in the district will welcome new principals, while the search for a successor to retiring Superintendent Rich Decman is also scheduled to begin shortly. Decman plans to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year, with the superintendent position expected to be posted within the next few months.

“Change is scary, but I also think it’s exciting, and there are lots of new opportunities that are going to occur next year and the following year,” Decman stated. He views these changes as a positive development for the district. During April and May, executive search committees will present their recommendations to the Herscher School Board, which will then determine whether to engage a superintendent search firm.

Leadership Shifts and New Appointments

The 2026-27 school year will mark a year of new leadership at Herscher CUSD 2, especially following the resignation of Brad Elliot, the principal of Herscher High School. Elliot has accepted the position of superintendent at Reed-Custer Community Unit School District 255U, which serves Braidwood and surrounding communities. The Herscher School Board officially accepted his resignation in January 2026, effective at the end of the upcoming school year.

In light of Elliot’s departure, Brett Miller, the current principal at Herscher Intermediate School, will step into the role at Herscher High. Miller has spent approximately 15 years in his current position and previously served as an assistant principal at the high school. The new principal for Herscher Intermediate School is expected to be named during the board meeting on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mark Taylor, currently the assistant principal at Limestone Middle School, will take over as principal at LMS next school year. He will replace outgoing principal Michelle Chavers, who is retiring. Molly Wepprecht, the principal at Bonfield Grade School, will remain in her position, making her the only returning principal within the district.

Decman highlighted the advantages of welcoming new leaders, noting that many of the new appointees are already familiar faces within the district. “You get fresh takes with new principals, even though most are familiar faces,” he mentioned.

Brad Elliot’s Journey and Future Plans

Elliot’s connection to the Herscher district spans nearly 30 years, including his time as a student. A graduate of Herscher High School in 2002, he began his career as a teacher at Bradley Central Middle School before returning to Herscher CUSD 2, where he taught for seven years at Limestone Middle School. After three years as an assistant principal at Herscher High School, he was appointed principal, a role he held for the past eight years. Elliot has also contributed as a middle school basketball coach and a high school assistant baseball coach.

In pursuit of further qualifications, Elliot enrolled in an online Education Specialist graduate program through Northern Illinois University. This program aimed to deepen his understanding of school systems, covering aspects such as finance, law, staffing, and curriculum. After completing an internship and qualifying for the superintendent exam, he passed the test and began exploring job opportunities, which led him to the opening at Reed-Custer.

“I’m very happy where I am, and I was not necessarily looking to leave or escape,” Elliot noted. The opportunity at Reed-Custer arrived serendipitously, and he expressed gratitude for the timing. Despite his affection for the Herscher district, he felt fortunate to have this chance sooner than anticipated.

Elliot continues to work towards his doctoral degree through NIU’s online program. His family remains actively involved in the Herscher schools; his wife, Timoney Elliot, works as a media specialist at Bonfield Grade School and Herscher Intermediate School, while their children attend school in the district.

Reflecting on his tenure, Elliot acknowledged the relationships he has built with students, staff, and administrators. “I’m really proud of the staff at Herscher and their commitment to our kids, their trust they’ve instilled in me, and their willingness to challenge me,” he said.

As he prepares for his new role at Reed-Custer, Elliot believes he will find comfort in the district’s similarities to Herscher, particularly in terms of size and community pride in their educational institutions. “That is definitely a preference of mine,” he remarked, expressing appreciation for the small-town atmosphere he has enjoyed throughout his career.