Stegall to retire; succession plan set for St. Anne schools

Ben O'Brien, the assistant superintendent and high school principal in St. Anne Unit District 24, has been selected as the district's next superintendent. He will succeed Charles Stegall, is retiring after the 2026-27 school year.

The next leader has been selected for St. Anne Unit District 24. Superintendent Charles Stegall is set to retire as of June 30, 2027. Before the St. Anne elementary and high school districts consolidated in 2024, Stegall was superintendent of both districts, which previously had separate school boards.

He led the district through its consolidation process, which began with getting a referendum passed in the community. This upcoming school year will be Stegall’s 11th year in the district. Ben O’Brien, the assistant superintendent and high school principal in St. Anne, has been selected to succeed Stegall starting in the 2027-28 school year.

O’Brien’s time in St. Anne schools predates Stegall’s, as O’Brien is preparing to start his 13th year there. “We accomplished a lot,” Stegall said. “I feel like it’s going to be left in really good hands.

The future is bright here, and I feel excited about my future.” The St. Anne School Board established a leadership succession plan during its June 18 meeting, according to a news release. The board approved a contract appointing O’Brien as the district’s next superintendent, effective July 1, 2027.

By establishing this transition plan a year in advance, the board aims to maintain organizational stability, continuity of vision, and a smooth handoff of district operations, according to the release. “The Board is incredibly grateful for Dr. Stegall’s years of dedicated service and leadership,” School Board President Aaron Hays said in the release. “Looking to the future, we are confident that Ben O’Brien is the ideal leader to build upon our district’s successes.

“His dual experience as an Assistant Superintendent and principal within our schools gives him an unparalleled understanding of our district’s unique needs and strengths.” Over the next year, Stegall and O’Brien will work collaboratively to ensure all administrative, financial and academic initiatives transition smoothly. “I am deeply honored by the Board’s trust and excitement for the future of St. Anne Unit District 24,” O’Brien said in the release.

“St. Anne Unit District #24 is truly a special place with great families, dedicated educators, and hard-working, high-character students. “Serving in several roles within the district over the past 12 years has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to working alongside Dr. Stegall over the next 12 months to ensure a seamless transition that keeps our students’ success at the forefront.”