Vicki Phillips truly loves being the superintendent for the Brown County School District, and her accomplishments in the relatively short time at the helm reflect that passion for her work.
“It gives me the opportunity to use my knowledge and skills regarding quality education to support and lead the entire big picture of providing a solid, effective and productive education for the children of Brown County,” Phillips, who became superintendent in July 2014, told West Central Reporter.
Among the things that have occurred under Phillips’ leadership is implementing smaller class sizes in kindergarten through eighth grade; the reopening of the agriculture department at the high school; the reopening of the band program with a full-time band director; providing instruments to students who can’t afford to purchase or rent them; reinstating teaching computer-keyboarding skills in the third and fourth grades; adding piano instruction to fifth- and sixth-grade music classes; departmentalizing sixth grade from a self-contained setting; realigning the K-12 curriculum to provide Hornet Targets for every grade level in math and science throughout the district; and initiating new junior high school baseball and softball programs, and junior HS and HS girls and boys track programs.
“It is my desire to provide the best and most opportunities to the students of Brown County School District,” she said. “During the course of my time, I have had the opportunity to promote positive curriculum changes to increase student achievement and academic progress as well as increase course offerings for students.”
The district has also added a full-time school nurse during Phillips' tenure, provided a principal for each of the three school buildings, and implemented a teaching position to assist elementary teachers in providing extra assistance within math classes. The district has also been awarded grants to receive new cafeteria equipment and renovate the auditorium.
Phillips, raised in Astoria and a current resident of Rushville, graduated from Illinois State University with the goal of teaching business courses.
“I had a very effective and positive teacher who helped me see how I could be successful in the field of business,” she said. “I wanted to be able to do the same for others, so I pursued the field of education — specifically business education.”
Due to the lack of teaching or business positions available when she first graduated, Phillips began her professional career as an admissions counselor for MacMurray College in Jacksonville. She went on to teach business for a private vocational school in Jacksonville and later taught business courses at Spoon River College in Rushville.
When she’s not working, Phillips enjoys spending time with her family.
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