Jacksonville School District Names Assistant, Plans Smooth Superintendent Transition

The Jacksonville School District 117 board approved a planned leadership transition on December 15, 2025, naming Assistant Superintendent Matt Moore as the district's next superintendent when current Superintendent Steve Ptacek retires at the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year. Moore has served as assistant superintendent since the 2022 to 2023 school year, a tenure of about three years, and the board's decision formally sets a multi year handoff that district leaders say is intended to reduce disruption.

The advance notice creates a predictable timeline for administrative continuity. With roughly a year and a half remaining before the formal handoff, Moore will have the opportunity to work alongside Ptacek on budgeting, curriculum implementation, contract negotiations, and any ongoing capital projects. For staff and families, that overlap can mean steadier implementation of district initiatives and fewer abrupt changes in policy or priorities.

District leadership decisions matter to the local economy. School districts are among the largest employers in Morgan County and they set policies that influence teacher recruitment, class offerings, and long term financial planning. By announcing the succession in advance, the board helps limit uncertainty that can affect staffing decisions and operational costs. It also gives the school board time to focus on strategic planning with a known leadership trajectory, rather than conducting a rapid external search that can be costly and time consuming.

The announcement also aligns with broader governance best practices that prioritize planned successions to maintain institutional knowledge. Moore's multi year preparation window will allow him to learn ongoing contracts and community partnerships directly from Ptacek, which could shorten the learning curve when he assumes full responsibility.

For parents, employees, and property taxpayers in Jacksonville, the board's action means a clearer line of sight on the district's leadership and policy outlook through the 2026 to 2027 school year. The transition aims to preserve stability in classroom operations and district finances while allowing new leadership to take shape in a deliberate and collaborative way.