District 86 promotes several internal leaders, adds hires from outside
Joliet Public Schools District 86 has announced leadership changes across six schools, naming new assistant principals who will assume their posts when the 2026-27 school year begins Aug. 19. The personnel moves include four promotions from within the district and two hires from outside systems, as well as two intra-district reassignments.
In a district news release, Superintendent Theresa Rouse described the additions as bolstering building leadership and supporting students, staff and families as schools open for the fall.
“We are pleased to welcome these individuals to their new leadership roles supporting our principals, students, staff, and families,”
The district identified the following assistant principals and their assigned schools:
- Kristin Gedmin — Dirksen Junior High
- Felicia Hunigan — Sator Sanchez Elementary
- Alyssa Mamlic — Marycrest Early Childhood Center
- Ryan Martinsen — Eisenhower Academy and Washington Junior High School Academy Program
- Davina Morris — Pershing Elementary
- Andy Petroline — Hufford Junior High
| Name | Assigned School | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Kristin Gedmin | Dirksen Junior High | 23 years with District 86; most recently academic advisor at Dirksen |
| Felicia Hunigan | Sator Sanchez Elementary | Joining District 86 after 21 years at Valley View School District 365U |
| Alyssa Mamlic | Marycrest Early Childhood Center | Previously academic advisor at Marycrest |
| Ryan Martinsen | Eisenhower Academy & Washington Junior High School Academy Program | Served as academic advisor at Eisenhower Academy and Forest Park I.E. School |
| Davina Morris | Pershing Elementary | Previously academic advisor at Gompers |
| Andy Petroline | Hufford Junior High | Former principal and assistant principal in Mannheim School District 83 (Melrose Park) |
Internal promotions emphasize continuity; outside hires bring experience
District officials say four of the six assistant principals were promoted from existing district positions, signaling an emphasis on continuity and experience with District 86 systems and student populations. Gedmin, Mamlic, Martinsen and Morris all served as academic advisors within District 86 prior to their new roles.
Two appointees bring experience from outside the district. Hunigan arrives after a long tenure at neighboring Valley View School District 365U, where she spent 21 years, and Petroline joins after leadership roles in Mannheim School District 83 in Melrose Park. Those hires reflect a mix of internal talent development and external recruitment to fill leadership needs.
Reassignments change assistant principals' school homes
Alongside the new hires, District 86 announced two reassignments: the current Dirksen assistant principal, Michelle Lewis-Kapp, will move to Thomas Jefferson Elementary. The assistant principal currently at Pershing will be reassigned to Edna Keith Elementary. District officials did not provide additional details about those moves in the release.
These personnel shifts take place as schools prepare for the start of classes on Aug. 19. Assistant principals play hands-on roles in daily operations, student discipline, curriculum support and family communication. Changes in those positions can affect school climate, consistency of programs and relationships between families and school leadership.
For Joliet families and staff, the coming weeks will be an opportunity to meet the new leaders and to assess how the transitions influence day-to-day school life. District 86 has not publicly released a schedule of transition events or meet-and-greets; parents and community members should expect principals’ offices to share information as the school year approaches.
District 86’s announcement is part of routine staffing updates many districts make in summer as they finalize leadership and teaching rosters. For a city that relies on stable school leadership to guide services from early childhood through junior high, these appointments will shape the year ahead.
