The hunt is on: Hays USD 489 to begin superintendent interviews, first candidate announced

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Change is constant in education. Teachers come and go, students move on and technology proliferates the classroom as it becomes more accessible. But this year, the administration at Hays USD 489 is undergoing major changes as the Board of Education and current administration worked to replace key administrators through the district in recent weeks.

The largest of those changes is the replacement of Superintendent Dean Katt, who will end his tenure with the district at the end of June.

“Hays has been very good to me. It’s been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, but also the hardest,” Katt said earlier, announcing his move to Independence, Mo., to work in the district’s human resources department.

In early April, the board announced the search to find his replacement was underway, but as personnel transactions do not fall under open meetings requirements, much of the work went on behind closed doors.

On April 11, the board met with Gary Sechrist, Kansas Association of School Boards leadership specialist. Sechrist has worked with the district since that time to develop a list of candidates.

On Monday, the board heard candidate recommendations from Sechrist selecting four candidates to be brought to Hays for interviews. Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week and Monday and Tuesday next week.

Those interviews will include meetings with faculty and a tour of district facilities through the day with a formal interview with the board for each candidate set for 5:30 p.m. on interview days.

Community meet and greets are scheduled on those same days at 3:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th St.

After the completion of interviews, a superintendent a candidate is likely to be offered the position by the board on May 24, according to Lance Bickle, board president.

While the superintendent search is the most visible of positions being re-staffed, the replacement for a number of other administrators has also been announced in recent weeks.

Longtime district staff member Shanna Dinkel was selected to replace outgoing Mark Hauptman as Assistant Superintendent, and Raj Sharma will serve as the new Director of Special Education for Hays-West Central Kansas Coop.

Open principal positions for two schools have also been selected with Anita Scheve, Learning Center director, moving into a principal position at Wilson Elementary School, vacated by the retirement of Tom Meagher. Vicki Gile was selected to replace Shannon Demel as the principal at O’Loughlin Elementary School.

Gile currently serves as the principal of Plymell Elementary School in Garden City.