ROCK FALLS – This fall, teachers and students at three Rock Falls schools will have new leaders.

Kyle Ackman, principal at Merrill Elementary School, will take over the same role at Rock Falls Middle School. He’ll replace Jeff Brown, who will retire from the middle school after 29 years of service.

Brody Rude, who has spent the past 5 years as principal at Dillon Elementary School, will succeed Ackman at Merrill. Rock Falls native Roy Calkins, principal at Prophetstown High School, will become the new principal at Dillon.

“[Ackman] requested to move to the middle school, and that was granted,” said Dan Arickx, superintendent of the school district. “We also made an internal decision to move [Rude] up to Merrill School.”

In addition to his time at Dillon, Rude also spent 4 years as assistant principal at Rock Falls High School.

In his first year, Rude, 39, will make $84,048 as the leader of Merrill, a third- through fifth-grade school.

Ackman, 38, said he made the request so he could continue his natural progression through the district.

He spent 8 years as principal at Dillon and 5 in that role at Merrill.

His contract includes a salary of $96,520 in his first year at the sixth- through eighth-grade school.

“I felt like it was good timing,” Ackman said. “I’m still in the same school district, but I’m ready for a change. The middle school was the next step, and I’m ready for it.”

Calkins, 47, will be a new face in the school district.

“The administrative team felt like he was the best fit coming in,” Arickx said. “We felt with the answers he gave during his interview, he was the best choice.”

Calkins spent a year at Prophetstown High before returning home.

He will make $72,000 in his first year at Dillon, a kindergarten through second-grade school.

“The opportunity to go back to Rock Falls is something I could not pass up,” Calkins said. “I have family in Rock Falls, my wife has worked in Rock Falls for many years, and many of my friends live in Rock Falls.”

Calkins has put in more than 20 years as an educator, with most of his experience taking place at the elementary and middle school levels. He has been an administrator for more than 3 years.

“I am extremely excited and eager to start my new position at Dillon Elementary School,” Calkins said.