The Regional Office of Education #26 (ROE26) today announced a leadership transition that will continue the organization’s long-standing mission of supporting schools, educators, and students across west-central Illinois.
John Meixner is retiring as Regional Superintendent of the four-county Regional Office of Education #26 as of Wednesday, April 1, after 20 years of dedicated service to supporting student learning through the regional office. He joined as Assistant Regional Superintendent in 2006, was appointed as Regional Superintendent in 2009, and then elected to that role in 2010.
Dave Demler takes over as Regional Superintendent replacing Meixner. He has served as Assistant Regional Superintendent for ROE26 since July 2015, which came after ROE26 merged with neighboring ROE22 under state consolidation of regional offices of education. Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, and Schuyler counties combined that year into the new ROE26.
Scott Sullivan, ROE26 Director of Services, now takes over as Assistant Regional Superintendent.
Meixner and Demler agreed the April 1 timing of the transition made sense for the office as the school year winds down. Meixner had decided not to run for re-election in November 2026 and will continue in a support role for the office.
They credited a healthy, vibrant workplace culture with now more than 90 employees as they work to build on growing momentum to help schools support student achievement throughout the region.