Neoga’s Haarman Named Superintendent of Distinction
SPRINGFIELD—Kevin Haarman, superintendent of Neoga CUSD #3, has been named the 2026 Superintendent of Distinction by his peers in the Wabash Valley Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA).
Haarman was honored at an awards luncheon on April 23 in Springfield, where 21 regional Superintendents of Distinction were recognized. Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, served as the featured speaker.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Wabash Valley Region Superintendent of Distinction Award from the Illinois Association of School Administrators,” said Haarman, who has been an educator for 22 years and superintendent of Neoga CUSD #3 for four years. “This recognition truly belongs to the incredible students, staff, Board of Education, and community of Neoga Community Unit School District #3.
Over the past year our district has faced one of the most challenging moments in our history after the tornado that struck our Jr./Sr. High School and Elementary School and displaced grades 6–12 during the rebuilding process. Through it all, our staff, families, and community have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to our students.”
Those nominating Haarman noted a number of successes during his tenure including:
• Led Neoga CUSD #3 through an unprecedented crisis when a tornado destroyed the Jr./Sr. High School, displacing grades 6–12 for two years while the facility is rebuilt.
• Coordinated the rapid relocation and continuity of education for displaced students and staff, ensuring learning continued with minimal disruption.
• Guided the planning and rebuilding process of the Jr./Sr. High School, working with state agencies, insurance partners, architects, and community stakeholders.
• Maintained strong fiscal stewardship, ensuring the district remains financially stable while navigating major disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts, and secured and managed state and federal funding opportunities to support district operations, facility improvements, and student programs.
• Strengthened career and technical education opportunities, including continued support for agriculture education and FFA programs, while championing improvements to district facilities, technology, and learning environments across the district.
• Fostered a positive staff culture focused on recognition, collaboration, and professional excellence.
• Built strong community partnerships and transparent communication during both routine operations and crisis response.
• Continues to promote student achievement, extracurricular success, and community pride throughout the Neoga school district.
The Wabash Valley Region is comprised of Cumberland, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Edwards and Wabash counties. Superintendents of Distinction were selected by peers in their region based on their commitment, dedication and leadership.
“Exceptional leadership creates opportunities for students and strengthens communities,” said IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark. “At Neoga, Kevin Haarman’s forward-thinking approach and dedication have transformed the district in meaningful and measurable ways.”
The 12th annual luncheon was sponsored by Stifel, the country’s leading underwriter of K-12 school bonds.
“The superintendents honored today exemplify the depth of leadership and personal commitment that exceptional superintendents bring to their districts to serve students and staff to be the best they can be,” said Anne Noble, Managing Director of Stifel. “Stifel’s longtime commitment to IASA culminates in honoring these amazing superintendents and thanking them for all they do for the students of Illinois.”
What is IASA? IASA is the state’s premier advocacy and professional development organization for public school superintendents and school administrators. Serving members in approximately 97 percent of Illinois school districts, IASA’s mission is to support school leaders in the pursuit of educational excellence through continued school improvement.
