URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Urbana School District 116 is set to welcome three new administrators to key leadership positions this July, following a unanimous decision by the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. These appointments include a new assistant principal at Urbana High School, an associate principal at Urbana Middle School, and a new principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.
Sean Smith will take on the role of Assistant Principal at Urbana High School, effective July 1, replacing Melissa Kearns. A 2010 graduate of Urbana High, Smith began his educational career as a paraprofessional at Jefferson Middle School in 2017. He earned a master’s degree in special education and went on to teach at Edison Middle School. In 2023, Smith advanced to the position of Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Edison before becoming the Associate Principal there. He also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2024.
Derek Ely will step into the role of Associate Principal at Urbana Middle School, also beginning July 1, replacing Imani Carr. Ely currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Champaign Central High School and has an extensive background in education, having previously been the Dean of Students at Champaign Central and a physical education and health teacher at the READY Program school in Champaign.
Lidiya Wang has been appointed as the new Principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, with her start date tentatively set for July 23, pending approval of the 2025-26 school year calendar. Wang brings experience from her previous role as Principal of the Pavilion Foundation School and as an Assistant Principal at Circle Academy in Urbana.