Brandon White Superintendent Cary School District

Brandon C. White named Superintendent for Cary School District 26
Posted on 01/17/2023

Brandon White

 

Brandon C. White, assistant superintendent of academics for the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) was approved to serve as Superintendent of Cary School District 26 following the district’s school board vote taken Tuesday, January 17. Located in northeastern Illinois, Cary School District 26 includes McHenry and Lake Counties and has an enrollment of 2,500 students. White will replace Cary Superintendent Dr. Brian Coleman following his retirement in June 2023.


White is expected to earn his doctorate in educational leadership from Purdue University in the spring. He holds a masters in educational leadership from Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in elementary education. 


With an extensive background in education, White joined the South Bend Community School Corporation in 2019 as an instructional leader and federal programs director. With more than three decades of experience ranging from language arts instruction to principal leadership, his years with SBCSC involved implementing strategies, setting goals, and providing guidance and oversight to 29 principals. His commitment to and vision for the district’s educators and students were crucial to the district’s strategic plan.


During White’s time in the district, he implemented a new literacy curriculum and framework, leading to a rise in graduation rates and reading scores. He also was instrumental in creating the district’s pre-kindergarten program, an offering now available at eight schools for the 2023-2024 school year. In 2020, White became the SBCSC’s assistant superintendent of academics and served in 2021 as the district’s interim operations chief.


“South Bend Schools will miss Brandon White,” said Board President John Anella. “Mr. White has not only been a great addition to South Bend Schools but has been a pleasure to work with and will be missed. We wish Brandon and his family only the best on their journey.”


White’s time with the district included the pivot to eLearning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He led efforts to ensure safe and reliable Chromebook distribution, accessible internet access, and meals for students and families while supporting his colleagues, teachers, and their learners. White and his team were responsible for revamping SBCSC’s high school graduation ceremonies, hosting the events in outdoor venues that could allow for social distancing and safety for graduates and guests while elevating the experience for all of the district’s five high schools and Adult Education program.


“Brandon’s contributions to our district are immeasurable,” said SBCSC Superintendent Dr. C. Todd Cummings. “His experience, instinct, and strategy are essential to this administration and have elevated our mission as educators. His departure is bittersweet, but I am certain that his skills and character will be a tremendous asset to the community of Cary. As Superintendent, my Board and I have I’ve overseen the advancement of two of my cabinet members into their own superintendent positions. Hiring and cultivating great talent has been our commitment. I have no doubt that Brandon will be an invaluable addition to public education in Illinois, and we are very proud of him.” 


White will begin his role with Cary public schools on July 1 of 2023.