SJSD appoints two new administrators

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The appointments of two administrators for the 2025-26 academic year were approved by the St. Joseph School District Board of Education.

Shawna Gilliland will take on the role of principal of Benton High School for the upcoming school year.

Gilliland has 24 years of experience in education and most recently served as assistant principal at Central High School for the past two years. That position followed a year as an administrative intern and 21 years as a Central mathematics teacher.

Along with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Missouri Western State University, Gilliland has a Master's in Mathematics Education and a Specialist in Education Administration from Northwest Missouri State University. She is National Board Certified in Mathematics and was named the 2024-25 Northwest Region Assistant Principal of the Year.

Brad Spinner was appointed to assistant principal at Central beginning in August.

Spinner brings 25 years of education experience to the role. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University. He was a teacher in Texas for four years, before moving to St. Joseph in 2004, and has spent the last 21 years teaching and coaching at Lafayette High School. He also has served as the Lafayette activities director for three years.

The new administrators will assume their positions on Tuesday, July 1.