Urbana Middle School principal stepping down in June

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — After three years serving as the Urbana Middle School Principal, Derrick Cooper announced on Sunday that he will step down from his position at the end of June.

In a message to UMS families, Cooper said the decision was "incredibly difficult" to make.

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"This decision was not easy, as being part of this wonderful school community has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with talented teachers, dedicated staff, and supportive families, all of whom are working toward the goal of helping our students succeed," Cooper said in an email sent to families.

Cooper said he will work closely with the district and school leadership to ensure a smooth transition for the 2025-2026 school year.

According to the Urbana School District , Cooper came to UMS after serving as Associate Principal at Champaign Central High School. He started teaching at Washington Elementary in 2009 and later moved to teach at Jefferson Middle school. Cooper also was the interim Dean of Students at Centennial High School, the Assistant Principal at Westview Elementary and the Assistant Principal at Central High School.