Superintendent Biography
Joe F. Burgess, Jr. is entering his 29th year of education, twenty-five of which have been in public school administration.
Mr. Burgess is married (Kathy) and has three children, (Joe III –age 26, Mike- age 23, and Amie-age 21). Mr. and Mrs. Burgess are both 1984 graduates of Monmouth College, Monmouth IL. Joe III is a 2008 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and is a business education teacher at Normal West High School in Normal, IL. Mike is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and currently serving as a CTI Specialist in the United States Navy. Amie is currently attending Kishwaukee College in Malta, IL and works at the Genoa Park District Fitness Center.
Mr. Burgess started his educational career in 1984 at R.O.V.A. (later R.O.W.V.A.) # 208 in Oneida, IL. He was an elementary teacher and coached football and basketball. In 1988, Mr. Burgess was named elementary principal and head teacher at Rio Elementary, and two years later named to the same position at Wataga Elementary, a school newly petitioned into the R.O.W.V.A. School District. In 1989, he was named Knox County’s Teacher of the year by the local media.
1992, Mr. Burgess joined the Galesburg # 205 School District as an elementary principal and a year later was named Title One Director for the district along with his principal duties. While Title One Director Mr. Burgess was honored by the State Board of Education in 1997 as a Gold Star of Excellence Award winner for innovative practices in the area of Title One.
In 1998, he became Superintendent of Schools at Saunemin Elementary District # 438 in Saunemin, IL. This K-8 district was a feeder district to Pontiac High School and Dwight High School. Saunemin was noted by the State Board as one of the first school districts in the state to complete the differentiated instruction process of having an individual educational plan for every student in the district.
2003 was Mr. Burgess’ first year as superintendent at Tuscola CUSD # 301 in Tuscola, IL. In 2006, Tuscola’s elementary school North Ward was honored as a National Blue Ribbon school for academic excellence.
2010 Mr. Burgess assumed the duties as Genoa-Kinston #424’s new superintendent. Now in his third year at Genoa-Kingston Mr. Burgess looks forward to continuing to serve the Genoa-Kingston communities and building on the educational opportunities the district continues to provide its students.
During his career Mr. Burgess has been active both professionally and civically. He has held several offices in the Illinois Association of School Administrators including the president of both the Cornbelt and Illini Divisions. He has been an active Rotarian, and United Way board member. In addition he has been a member of the Pontiac Library Board, Saunemin Educational Foundation Board, Tuscola Economic Development Board and numerous civic committees. He is currently a Lion Club member and serves on the board of directors for the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce.
Education:
BA Elementary Education
Monmouth College, Monmouth Il – 1984
MA Educational Administration
Western Illinois University, Macomb, Il – 1992
Ed Sp Educational Administration
Western Illinois University, Macomb, Il – 1998
Ed D Educational Administration
Illinois State University, Normal, Il - continuing
