By: Diane Benjamin
h/t a reader
Is the current principal quitting at the end of the school year? Is Mariana Nicasio is there? What’s going on at Chiddix?
I just heard Mariana has resigned as of the end of the school year. It’s not nice to keep secrets from parents Unit 5.
See this link for more info: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-03-04/chiddix-junior-high-principal-announces-departure
Wonder if this has something to do with an opening for a new principal at Chiddix.
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-02-24/normal-police-investigating-second-chiddix-teacher-after-alleged-inappropriate-conduct-with-a-student
That’s what I’d guess… no proof, only speculation.
Search WGLT for “Chiddix” for stories galore about the two sex predator teachers there and also that the principal is now resigning… of course is not supposed to be related to the sex predators. Hmm. 🤔
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-03-04/chiddix-junior-high-principal-announces-departure
And Brandon Knapp (predator)
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-03-02/8th-grade-chiddix-teacher-on-paid-leave-was-disciplined-by-unit-5-for-repeated-grooming-behaviors
And Drew Miller (predator)
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-02-26/chiddix-teacher-was-sanctioned-by-unit-5-for-2019-conduct-at-lasalle-county-cheerleading-event
And (related Miller 2019 incident)
https://www.wglt.org/news/2019-09-17/cheer-coach-teacher-off-the-job-after-alleged-hotel-incident
Why are these guys still teachers??
Not only the principals need to be accountable, but top Unit 5 Admin also needs to be accountable for hiring and retaining these repeat offender teachers!
The Chiddix teachers didn’t much care for the principal in the last survey by the state but I would probably blame the state as much as the principal in any school in Unit 5.
https://5-essentials.org/illinois/5e/2025/s/170640050261002/measures/trpr24/#change?o=-change
I’ve known people/ workers from Chiddix and it is a flamin’ liberal/ left school, HUGELY indoctrinating students with all things alphabet, and has been since at least the 2010’s. So no surprise they have sex predator teachers they’ve done nothing about. But also no surprise from our district “rulers”… a superintendent who supports all things crazy/ left!
Regardless, doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the principal is resigning…