District Directory

"Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?" Whatever the answer is, the Arts are alive and well here in Morton 709.

It is a pleasure to be a part of the team that helps get nearly every arts-related production up and going in the district. Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theater, and Art Shows with promising student resident artists bring many into our community to enjoy the talents of our students.

The Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center is a busy place for budding talent and creative minds. Learn more about the school and community connection at berthafrank.org

Processes payroll for all school district employees and maintains accurate, up-to-date information in Frontline for employee time/attendance (Veritime) and absences (Aesop). Responsible for providing support to the Chief Financial Officer to file Grant applications and quarterly reports, as well as Illinois State Board of Education financial reporting and claims for the District.

Responsibilities: PowerSchool support; Data Management

Heather is our HR Coordinator. She handles dental, vision, and health insurance as well as personnel topics ranging from new hires to retirees.

Mrs. Franklin leads the Student Support Services team for Morton 709. She, also, serves as the Principal of Morton Academy.

Under the umbrella of her leadership are Student Support Services including District Social Workers, School Psychologists, Health Care Professionals, and Multi-Language Learner education. More traditional Special Education Programs including Resource Classrooms, RISE (Reaching Independence/Support & Education), and ACES(Academic Connections/Emotional Support) help students meet their educational goals, grow in soft skills, and prepare them for every next step at school and in the community.

When Miss Christina is not driving a bus, she works with the Transportation Director in the office. She works with the routing and does whatever Mrs. Tharp needs her to do. She is the expert on pick-up times and drop-off times.

Lisa Kowalski graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University in 1996, and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University in 2001. She has worked in the legal field, marketing, and business management. In 2017, she received her Chief School Business Official Endorsement from Illinois State University and is licensed with the State of Illinois.

Lisa was the business manager at the Illinois State University Laboratory Schools before joining Morton CUSD 709 in 2019, where she is currently serving as Chief Financial Officer.

Crystal Lohnes came to Morton 709 to bring the food services home. After decades of paying food service providers, she came on board to intentionally build a meal program that students and staff can look forward to in the middle of the school day. She is building menus as she builds a food services team. She would love to hear what your students look forward to the most.

Superintendent Joseph Sander, Ed.D., is excited to lead Morton CUSD 709.

Previously, in the role of Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Sander was responsible for human resource functions and district operations, supporting seven educational centers that serve more than 3,300 students.

Dr. Sander graduated from Illinois State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a focus on secondary education. That same year, he began his career in education at Washington Community High School, where he taught Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. During this time, he, also, coached baseball, was the junior class sponsor and student council advisor.

In 2004, he transitioned to an administrative path where he has experience as an assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Dr. Sander has enjoyed 20 years of administrative experience that span the education of students at the elementary, middle school and high school level.

Dr. Sander is married to his wife, Jennifer, and together they have four children: Luke, Ryan, Jillian, and Matthew. Luke is a graduate of SIU Edwardsville and is pursuing a military career with the United States Air Force. Ryan is a student at St. Ambrose University studying vocal and instrumental education. Jillian is a student at SIU Edwardsville and is looking to pursue a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Matthew is a senior at Morton High School.

In addition to a career in education, he has also served in the military for more than 35 years and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the 182d Airlift Wing. His military career includes 15 years of service as enlisted and officer in the Army National Guard with the 1st of the 106th Aviation Battalion. In 2003, he crossed over to the blue and joined the Air National Guard, where he held positions in Services, Personnel, and Finance. He currently serves as the Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander.

When he is not working in education or the military, Dr. Sander enjoys spending quality time with his family, with church functions, and participating in sports and outdoor activities.

Education
1994 Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
2000 Master of Science, Industrial Technology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
2004 General Administrative Certification, Education Administration, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
2011 Educational Specialist, Educational Leadership, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
2016 Doctorate of Education, Aurora University, Aurora, Illinois


Service in Education
1994-2004 Math Teacher, Coach, Advisor, Washington Community High School District 308
2004-2005 Assistant Principal, Morton High School, MCUSD 709
2005-2010 Principal, Central Junior High School, East Peoria Elementary District 86
2010-2012 Principal, Glendale School, East Peoria Elementary District 86
2012-2022 Assistant Superintendent, Washington Community High School District 308
2022-Current Assistant Superintendent, Morton MCUSD 709

Responsibilities: AirWatch, Apple Profile Manager, Copiers
Security/Communication System

Ms. Julie Schmidgall is the first person to answer the phone at the District Office. She does many things, seen and unseen. The District Office runs better because she is a part of the team. Ms. Schmidgall can answer general questions about the District. She knows exactly where to direct calls when she does not know the answer.

She has been an aide in the District for many years mostly at Lettie Brown School. She joined the District Office team in December of 2024.

She manages a busy household at home. All five of her children have attended Morton 709 schools or are currently students.

Mr. Schoon has been with Morton 709 since 1994. As Director of Maintenance K-8, he stays busy with the upkeep of four grade schools and Morton Jr. High. When something isn't working, Mr. Schoon is on the job. Much of maintenance involves being proactive before there is a problem. He works closely with building custodians daily. He is a familiar face in all of the K-8 buildings. When Mr. Schoon walks in the door, something is going to get fixed.

Mr. Schuck has been with Morton 709 since 1986. He started as part-time help, which led to full time in 1990. As Director of Operations, he is responsible for the care of the Morton 709 school buildings and grounds across the district. From the oldest buildings steeped in history and tradition to the newest structures like the transportation office and the new gymnasiums, Mr. Schuck knows the buildings inside and out. He makes sure the Morton 709 schools and grounds are well kept, safe and ready for student learning and extracurricular activities.

Mr. Shumaker is the Morton 709 Custodial Supervisor. He joined Morton 709 in 2016. He knows the value of excellence in a custodial staff. He values working with a team of people who care about their buildings, the staff and the students. Mr. Shumaker knows the custodial team does so many little things that go beyond their job descriptions. Their helpful hands that serve, generous smiles and attention to detail make them vital not just to the buildings, but to the students and staff. Mr. Shumaker always enters the building with a smile and a willing set of hands to help.

I am so grateful to be a part of Morton 709. My heart has always loved school and being in schools. I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with degrees in Communications and Psychology.
My professional life has been a mix of both communications and social services. From Youth Services at the Human Service Center to pioneering Student Assistance Programs in District 150 (Richwoods & PAHS), and providing social services at St. Jude, I have seen the power of education, choices, and community.

My husband and I have raised our sons here, worshiped here, and somewhere along the way... Morton became our home. Our oldest son married the amazing girl he walked with in high school graduation. Our youngest son walked into graduation with a special friend from diapers to diplomas. They both have chosen to live here as adults. This community is special. Look for the good and you find it. I've kept a gratitude journal since January 2013 to remind me of the littlest gifts in each day.

After 13 years as a parent volunteer at Lincoln, I joined the team at Morton Jr. High in 2012 where every day was "a great day to be a Jr. Potter". Today, I am grateful to serve our hardworking and amazing Board of Education and Dr. Smock as their Administrative Assistant.

Dr. Teater is currently serving as Assistant Superintendent.

He is responsible for human resource functions and district operations, supporting seven educational centers that serve more than 3,300 students.

His first administrative position was at Morton High School, where he served as an assistant principal in 2003. While serving as an assistant principal, he earned his Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University in 2004.

In 2006, he moved to the central office at Morton, where he has served as the Director of Technology and Director of Curriculum and Technology.

Dr. Teater graduated from Bradley University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, with an emphasis in secondary education. After graduating, he began teaching math, chemistry, and physics at Woodruff high school in Peoria, IL. He also coached football and ran an after-school remediation program for math.

In 1994, Dr. Teater began teaching physics at Morton High School, where he taught for nine years. During that time, he coached football, softball, and WYSE, and served as the junior class sponsor and chair of the Science Department. He also earned his Master of Science in Educational Administration from Illinois State University in 1997.

Dr. Teater has been married to his wife, Linda, for over 30 years, and they have lived in Morton for most of that time. Their three children, Lillian, Elaina, and Clinton, have all attended the Morton schools.

Julie Tharp has been with Morton 709 Transportation since 1993. She started as a substitute bus driver. She received her own bus route in 1996, and she started helping with the puzzle-like job of bus routing in the office.

In August of 2019, she began her new role as Transportation Director after driving a bus route for 26 years. She maintains a fleet of more than thirty buses and other vehicles.

Serving the students of Morton 709 is her favorite part of the job. Working with the best people is another perk.

She loves the kids! Morton 709 is fortunate to have her leading the Transporation Team.

Ms. Wagner has spent 15 years in healthcare, with half of those years focused on pediatric care. She has a passion for pediatric healthcare and health sciences.
Ms. Wagner began her time with Morton School District in 2023, working in the High School Health Center (nurse's office) providing compassionate care to our high school students. During the 2024-2025 school year, she began managing the many facets of the Morton High School medical records.
Please feel free to reach out to her by phone or email with any questions you may have regarding medical records, state vaccination requirements, or health records submission for your high school students. Ms. Wagner can best be reached via phone or email Monday through Thursday before 1 pm as she is also a college level healthcare educator and local volunteer.
"Today is a great day to learn something new!"

Ms. White is seen all over the district and helps put together some of the amazing videos found on the MPTV YouTube channel .

Kate Wyman is the Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Technology, and Safety. She begins her new position on July 1, 2025.

Mrs. Wyman has an impressive educational background, which began in 2000, when she was hired to teach first grade at Jefferson School. From 2001 to 2003, she worked for the Tazewell County Health Department as a health education teacher, providing health education classes to students in three elementary districts in Central Illinois.

In 2004, she returned to Morton to teach 1st Grade at Lettie Brown. She held this position for twelve years, and in August 2015, she was selected as principal at Jefferson School. For ten years, she has faithfully served the students, parents, faculty, and staff of the Jefferson community."

Mrs. Wyman enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, and extended family, as well as reading, singing, learning, exercising, watching sports, and serving at her church and in the community.

Mrs. Wyman obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 2000 and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009, both from Illinois State University. In 2011, she attended Bradley University to pursue a degree in Educational Leadership and was licensed as a school administrator in 2013. Mrs. Wyman is enrolled in the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership program at Western Illinois University, where she will complete her superintendent endorsement in December 2025.

Amy Zimmerman is the Accounts Payable Clerk. She assists with accounts payable, managing the free and reduced lunch program, managing certificates of insurance, managing elementary activity accounts, district credit cards, and reimbursements. Contact Amy regarding any of these functions.