3 New School Principals Appointed At Plainfield District 202

PLAINFIELD, IL — Three new principals have been hired in Plainfield School District 202. Megan Urban, Karyn Holstead and Kirsten Kilday were appointed by the Board of Education at Monday's regular meeting.

Kilday, Urban and Holstead will serve as principals of Liberty Elementary School, Wesmere Elementary School and Plainfield Academy, respectively. The principals will begin their new roles on July 1, more than a month before the 2022-23 school year kicks off.

At Liberty Elementary, Kilday will replace current Principal Michelle Imbordino.

"I'm looking forward to meeting a new community of students, families, and teachers," Kilday said in a statement. "I hope to build on traditions already in place at Liberty and inspire lifelong learning."

With a 23-year career under her belt, Kilday has spent 22 years working in District 202. While she currently serves as assistant principal at Walker's Grove Elementary School, she started in 2000 as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at the district's Meadow View Elementary School.

Kilday began her education career in 1999 as a fifth-grade teacher at Reed School in Lockport, officials said.

"Ms. Kilday has the presence, integrity, demeanor, and vision to carry on the strong leadership already present at Liberty Elementary," Jennifer Orlos, assistant superintendent of administration and personnel, said in a statement.

At Plainfield Academy, where she has worked since 2006, Holstead will take on the head job after being assistant principal since 2016. The educator, who has worked in the field for 25 years, will replace current principal Marcus Lyke.

"I am excited to continue working with the students, staff, and families of the best alternative school around," she said in a statement.

Tim Albores, District 202 director of student services for high school and ED/alternative programs, commended Holstead's commitment to Plainfield Academy.

"Her passion and dedication to the students, staff, and parents of Plainfield Academy programs made it abundantly clear that she is the right candidate for the position and will continue to lead this remarkable building forward," he said in a statement.

Down Route 59 at Wesmere Elementary School, Urban will take over from Debra Coberley as principal. Urban started her education career in 2007 working as a special education teacher in New Lenox.

Having been in District 202 since 2018 working as Liberty Elementary's assistant principal, Urban currently serves as the elementary special education administrator for Charles Reed, Thomas Jefferson and Wallin Oaks elementary schools.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the Wesmere community,” she said in a statement. "I look forward to working closely with the community, staff, and students to develop this generation of learners."

Orlos said Urban will be "a great addition" to Wesmere.

"Ms. Urban's instructional leadership and ability to build positive relationships within the community will serve her well as the new Principal at Wesmere Elementary School," she said in a statement.