Rep. McCombie visits first local school as ‘Principal for the Day’

    State Representative Tony McCombie served as Principal for the Day at Oregon Jr/Sr High School through a program sponsored by the Illinois Principal’s Association that works to get state lawmakers into their area schools to meet with administrators, educators, and students.

    The “Principal for the Day” program is extremely active in Rep. McCombie’s 89th District, and her Sept. 22 visit is the first of several she will complete throughout the fall.  The program allows McCombie to tour the school building, engage with students and teachers, and learn about new programs offered.

 “Visiting Oregon High School today was an incredible experience to see firsthand how educators are shaping young students and I especially enjoyed hearing more about their innovative programs, including agricultural technology, which are facilitating viable skills in these students that will pay great dividends to our community and the state of Illinois,” said McCombie.

    The program is also an opportunity for principals and other administrators to build and refine their relationship with the Representative, express their concerns, and listen to updates about education-related legislation heading to the state legislature.

    “Principal for a Day is a great way for our members to build relationships with policymakers, and for legislators to experience the rewards and challenges of school leadership,” said Alison Maley, Government and Public Relations Director at the Illinois Principals Association. “We consistently encourage IPA members to reach out to their local legislators and serve as a resource when it comes to education policy. As a result, we hope that legislators keep these experiences and connections in mind as they develop and consider new legislation that will affect students and staff.”

    Rep. McCombie was also joined on her visit by Dr. Jason Leahy, Executive Director of the Illinois Principals Association. The Representative will continue with her school visits throughout the fall, with visits planned to a handful of schools throughout the 89th District in coordination with the Illinois Principal’s Association.