Thank you for visiting our website. The information you will find here is intended to be informative and beneficial. If for some reason, you identify an area we can improve on, or you are in need of additional information, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

The Spring Garden School District 178 is located in southern Jefferson County in Southern Illinois. The school district was established in 2015 after a consolidation of the Dodds Elementary School District and the Ina Elementary School District. Today, the original Dodds building houses students enrolled in grades K-4, while the original Ina building houses students in grades 5-8. After leaving the elementary and middle school levels, these same students will study their secondary level at the Mt. Vernon High School District.

Our students are exposed to a daily curriculum as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education. Walking into a typical classroom, one cannot miss the culture, and vibrancy, characterized by a shared belief in the importance of learning. Our teachers convey high expectations for learning by all, and teach to a higher rigor to challenge their students. This theme spills into the hallways, the cafeteria, the ball court, and throughout the entire school district, where the overall theme is a high expectancy from our students. This type of atmosphere is beneficial to create an environment that is conducive to learning.

The overall theme of our school district is a family atmosphere where I heavily emphasize the importance of quality family time for our employees and our students. I feel it is crucial for families to spend quality time together. This can be expanded into the second characteristic of our school district...a team relationship. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between school and home. We must work as a team if we are going to remain successful. With this, comes communication.

Parents and teachers must stay in communication in order to continuously expand upon our accomplishments. If there is ever a parental concern, parents should follow the chain of command. Please start with the source of the concern, and then proceed. It is difficult for an administrator or a Board of Education member to resolve the issue unless you have initially spoken to the primary source. I strongly encourage you to hear the entire story before jumping to a conclusion. Together, we can resolve and/or improve, the situation.

I look forward to meeting you and becoming acquainted. If you have not had an opportunity to visit one of our campuses, I encourage you to do so in the near future. Although my main office will be located on the north campus, I will also be able to be found at the south campus, at a satellite office. Upon visiting, please take the time to sit down and enjoy a hot cup of coffee, or a cold Mt Dew as we become acquainted.