After searching for three months USD 489 has a new Superintendent. At Monday night’s Board of Education Meeting the Board voted to make Interim Superintendent Dean Katt the permanent Superintendent.

In October the group, with assistance from the Kansas Association of School Board began searching from a new Superintendent and Dean Katt was one of the first candidates interviewed. After the interview process and the three month search the KASB and the School Board agreed Katt was the best fit.

Board President Greg Schwartz said this isn’t something that the board entered into lightly, “We’ve heard very positive things from the community, from teaches and staff. And just our work with him, I think we’ve got some good momentum heading forward.”

Schwartz went on to say that he believes Superintendent Katt will provide the District with strong leadership as they take on some tough issues facing the School District.

Katt took over as the Interim Superintendent on September 1st. He is a graduate of Fort Hays State University and spent a portion of his youth in Ellis. After teaching in Deerfield and serving as principal in Holccomb, has has worked as a superintendent in Scott City and Ottawa.

• The board also heard a presentation, from HHS Principal Marty Straub, about the adjustments to the HHS Curriculum Guide for the 2014-15 school year.
• The SMART Goals that were formed during the Board Retreat in November, were approved by the Board
• The Board Also authorized the School Board President to sign the Ratified Hays NEA Master Collective Bargaining Agreement