Regional Superintendent of Schools


ROE Logo-1        robheadshot-2019 - Copy

Robert Werden
Regional Superintendent of Schools

Phone: (618) 296-4530
Fax: (618) 692-7018
Address: 157 North Main Street, Ste. 438
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM




Duties and Responsibilities of the Regional Office of Education

          Regional Offices of Education are the resource for public and private education throughout the State of Illinois.  Since 1865, this office has been served by an elected official to maintain an effective and efficient means to deliver services and provide oversight for Illinois education.  The Regional Office of Education boundaries were established by census data of inhabitants and are set to serve a minimum of 61,000 residents.  Currently 35 Regional Offices of Education and 3 Intermediate Service Centers serve the 852 public school districts.

            Duties of Regional Offices of Education are specifically enumerated in the Illinois School Code from 105 ILCS 5/3-14 through 105 ILCS 5/3-15.7.  The state has identified the regional superintendent as the primary entity to enforce the school code in public and private education for the State of Illinois.  The ROEs partner with the Illinois State Board of Education to implement policy and offer professional development for teachers and administrators.  Each year, ROEs complete Health/Life Safety inspections of all school facilities to ensure a safe and secure setting for students and staff.  The ROEs also conduct annual compliance visits to confirm that their districts are following mandatory regulations outlined in state statute.  It is during this process that teacher and administrator credentials, school district policies, and mandated instruction are reviewed.  Achieving a high level of compliance is essential for school districts to gain full recognition status.  The Regional Office of Education is required by statute to approve school calendars, school district bonds, and other mandatory reporting documents as requested by the Illinois State Board of Education. 

            The Madison County Regional Office of Education—41 offers effective and efficient service to the districts and residents it serves.  The services are inclusive of the following:

  • Bus Driver Training provides the initial eight hour course and test to secure a bus permit, as well as, the required annual two hour refresher course.
  • Educator licensure assists teachers and administrators to obtain and renew Professional Educator Licenses from the Illinois State Board of Education.
  • Pearson Vue Testing provides over one hundred different tests for certifications and the GED /HiSet/TASC high school equivalency exam.
  • Fingerprinting to provide background checks for employment and conceal carry permits.
  • Homeless assistance through McKinney-Vento grant provides resources to schools to assist children and families identified by the school district as homeless.
  • Truancy to assist communities and families who have children who are reported to have excessive absenteeism.
  • Education outreach services are provided to deliver instruction for students placed in residential facilities at the Madison County Detention Center and Chestnut Health Systems facility.
  • Alternative School programs inclusive of a regional safe school for students who are recommended of expulsion, an education therapy program for students with special needs, and a short term option program for suspended students.
  • Secondary Transition Experience Program for students with disabilities to gain skills to transition from high school to employment.
  • Mentor program to assist at risk youth in Madison County, known as “Give 30”. 

 The Madison County Regional Office of Education strives to provide educational services to all residents of this region.  “Working for the success of our students and community through better education."  Robert W. Werden, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools