Traver School welcomes new principal
Andrew Grimm recently started his new positions as superintendent for the Linn-Bloomfield Joint No. 4 School District and principal for Traver School on July 27.
Traver School students will notice a new face patrolling the hallways as they return to class for the 2026-27 school year, which begins Sept. 1.
Andrew Grimm started his new jobs as Traver's principal and Linn-Bloomfield Joint No. 4 School District's superintendent on July 27.
He replaces Allyssa Andersen who left both positions on July 1 and worked as the school's principal since 2017 and the district's superintendent since 2018.
Grimm said he is excited about his new positions and the upcoming school year.
"Everybody I've met has been very welcoming," Grimm said. "I think it's going to be a great school year. I'm really looking forward to it."
Grimm has met with several staff members, parents and students during the past few weeks to help himself become familiar with the school district.
"I had to kind of just jump in with both feet and really get everything ready for the students coming back," Grimm said. "So that's been my main concern at this point, making sure the school is ready for the students coming in."
One of Grimm's main priorities in these new roles is to help continue providing a quality education for the students.
"I want to embed myself into the climate and culture of the school and really understand what's needed and what I can do to help move the school forward," Grimm said. "The school is already doing very well, and I just want to make sure I'm doing something to help it improve."
Linn-Bloomfield Joint No. 4 School Board President Daniel Kundert feels Grimm will be a welcomed addition to Traver School.
"We think Dr. Grimm will be on top of things and get Traver School back on track to be the wonderful school that it is," Kundert said in a statement.
Before coming to Traver, Grimm worked as the superintendent for the Winter School District in Winter for about six years. He also has worked as the principal for Ladysmith Middle School and Ladysmith Elementary School in Ladysmith, as well as the principal for Medinah Middle School in Roselle, Illinois.
Kundert feels Grimm's past experience will make him a quality superintendent and principal for the Joint No. 4 School District.
"I think it will be a good match for him and for us," Kundert said.
Grimm became interested in the education field from is mother, Jackie Grimm, who worked as a teacher.
"I just really enjoy working with students, and it was kind of a natural movement for me," Grimm said.
The Linn-Bloomfield Joint No. 4 School District includes Traver School, W3490 Linton Road in town of Linn, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students.
