Jennifer Bunton appointed principal of Carbondale Middle School

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 Board of Education has unanimously approved the appointment of Jennifer Bunton as principal of Carbondale Middle School.

The board approved the appointment Thursday. Bunton will continue serving as assistant principal until she begins her new role July 1.

A longtime educator in the district, Bunton has worked in Carbondale Elementary School District 95 for nine years, including seven years as a special education teacher and the past two years as the school’s eighth-grade assistant principal.

Bunton earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Southern Illinois University in 2006 and completed a master’s degree in educational administration in 2024.

She has more than 20 years of experience in education, with previous roles including custodian, paraprofessional, teacher and administrator.

“Carbondale Middle School is my home. I care deeply about the students, staff and families here,” Bunton said. “My goal is to create a school where expectations are clear and consistent for everyone, and where strong relationships are at the center of everything we do.”

Bunton, a native of Sesser, has lived in Jackson County since 2008 with her family.

She said she plans to focus on fostering collaboration among staff, students, families and the community to support student success.