Moundridge School District USD 423

Bio:

In January of 2009 I was hired by the USD 423 Board of Education to become the superintendent of schools for the 2009-10 school year.  At that time I felt it was an opportunity of lifetime or a ‘dream job’ for me.  After being on the job the past three years, I still feel that way.  The Moundridge community and school staff has been welcoming and willing to address the challenges that we currently face in public education.  The staff at USD 423 is truly committed to providing whatever is necessary for the children in Moundridge.

I’ve been a Kansan my whole life, growing up in Phillipsburg until I was twelve.  Before my 8th-grade year my family moved to Smith Center where I ultimately graduated from high school.  From there I went to Emporia State University to study education and play football.  I met my wife, Drenda, at ESU and we were married before either of us graduated.  In 1995 we moved to Great Bend where I would teach middle school science and then high school chemistry and physics.  At GBHS I was the head high school girls basketball coach and assistant high school football coach.  While teaching and coaching I began working on my Master’s degree in educational administration at Fort Hays State University.  After starting my coursework in that program I felt like I had found what I wanted to do forever.  As soon as I received my degree and graduated I decided to move out of the classroom and into school administration.  I packed up my family and we moved to Douglass.

Before coming to Moundridge I spent nine years in Douglass working as an administrator in the high school.  My first two years as the assistant principal and the final seven as the principal.  In those nine years our staff developed a number positive programs including a student incentive program, a required student portfolio, and a 1:1 student laptop initiative.  What I learned from being involved in the creation of these programs is the importance of communication with parents and staff and the active involvement of students in their education.

I have two children.  My daughter Taylor is a freshman at Emporia State University and my son Garrett is a junior at Moundridge High School.  My wife, Drenda, teaches 1st Grade at Moundridge Elementary School.  The Moundridge community and school have been terrific for our family, and we are excited to be a part of both.
 

School Finance Articles:

Base State Aid per Pupil / 'Classroom Money'

Finance Formula / Cash Balances

Defining a 'Suitable' Education

The 'Business' of Education