BY SARAH WASINGER
USD 489 Public Information Officer
USD 489 has recently been tasked with filling key administrative roles in light of the recent retirement of Mark Hauptman, assistant superintendent for special services, and the resignation of Superintendent Dean Katt.
Pending approval by the USD 489 Board of Education Monday, on July 1, Raj Sharma, Wellington special education director, will begin serving as the Director of Special Education for Hays-West Central Kansas Coop. Sharma brings with him a wealth of resources on inclusive education and believes in bringing 21st-century learning to every student in every classroom, a philosophy that speaks to the mission and goals of USD 489.
Sharma believes that the utilization of assistive technology will open the doors for educating all students across every curriculum base.
“I’m excited about the challenges ahead and looking forward to learning from and learning with the USD 489 special education staff, parents and administration team to grow the future of our students,” Sharma said.
At the May 2 board meeting and work session, the board approved Shanna Dinkel, director of curriculum, to be appointed as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for the 2016-2017 school year.
Dinkel will begin this role on July 1.
Having a new Superintendent and Director of Special Education at the same time will require someone with the district’s historical knowledge to guide the district into the future.
Dinkel has served as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of the Learning Center, and Director of Curriculum in her 20-year career with the district.
Her expertise at all of the various levels of education and history with the district will provide sound guidance to the district’s new administrative team.
“My experiences with the district have given me PreK-12 perspectives, and I am honored to serve as Assistant Superintendent,” Dinkel said. “I look forward to continuing moving our district in a positive direction by working with our greatest asset, the staff, students, and families, to continue our mission of providing a quality learning experience to every child in every classroom every day.”
The next step is filling the Superintendent position.
That process will move into the next phase on May 16 at the special board meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Gary Sechrist, Kansas association of school boards leadership services field specialist, will present his recommendations for interview candidates to the board of education. The board will interview three candidates, one per day, on May 17, 18 and 23.
The community is invited to meet the candidates from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th, on each of those dates.
Monday night board meeting
The board is also set to meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Toepfer Board Room and is expected to hear an update on the Kansas Educational Risk Management Pool Property and Casualty Insurance renewal, workers compensation quotes, health insurance and act on KASB membership renewal.
A full agenda for the meeting can be found here and will be streamed live on Hays Post via USD 489 News.