September 3, 2026 – Byers & Co broadcast live from the Regional Office of Education #39 as part of the 30th anniversary tour. Listen to the podcasts now!
Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent and Heather Ethell, Asst. Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about the role of ROE #39. The Regional Superintendent is a position that dates all the way back to 1865, when Illinois established the elected County Superintendent of Schools. Today, Regional Offices of Education serve as the bridge between the Illinois State Board of Education and our local school districts. Listen to the podcast now!
Attendance Specialists and Retired Decatur Police officers James Callaway and Charley Hendricks, joined Byers & Co to talk about why school attendence matters. ROE is to support schools—not simply enforce attendance. Attendance specialists help identify concerns early and understand why a student is missing school. Listen to the podcast now!
Brian Plummer, Director of Futures and Milligan and Crystal Whetstone Asst. Director of Futures and Milligan and Director of Option 3, joined Byers & Co to talk about the regions alternative education options and its ultimate goal. Alternative education isn’t about lowering expectations — it’s about finding another path to the same goal: graduation and a successful future. Listen to the podcast now!
Katie O’Dell, IMPACT Coordinator, and Mariah Koehler, IMPACT Liaison, join Byers & Co to continue the conversation about Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs through ROE #39 and additional layers of support for students struggling with academics, attendance, behavior or social-emotional skills. Listen to the podcast now!
Dee Williams, Licensure Specialist, and Mary Lynn Mann, Business Office and Admin Assistant, join Byers & Co to talk about ROE’s work with Educator Licensure and bus driver training. Listen to the podcast now!
Sarah Smith, Professional Development Coordinator, and Nancy Brodbeck, Grant Administrator, joined Byers & Co to talk about professional development opportunities leveraged cross county, cross district, cross grade level collaborations to highlight cumulative professional knowledge. Listen to the podcast now!
Holly Kelly, Director of Social Emotional Learning Hub, and Amy Jones, Social Emotional Learning Hub Coach, joined Byers & Co to talk about student mental health, behavior, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Listen to the podcast now!
Shane Brandel, Retired Decatur Police Chief and Regional Director of School Safety, and Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about school safety, support, and safety training in schools. Listen to the podcast now!
Dr. Zak Standerfer, Grant Administrator and Work Study Program Coordinator, and Heather Ethell, Asst. Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about Building Inspections and Compliance and ROE’s new Work Study Program. Listen to the podcast now!
