CLAFLIN — The Central Plains USD 112 Board of Education is soliciting applications from interested and qualified candidates to fill the position of superintendent.

At a special meeting Oct. 18, board members met with Kansas Association of School Boards Field Specialist Gary Sechrist, who walked them through the application, screening and selection process.

Interim Superintendent Bill Lowry’s contract with the district as superintendent and principal of Wilson Elementary School ends June 30, 2024. The board unanimously approved Lowry’s resignation at its Sept. 11 meeting. On Oct. 9, the board approved hiring KASB to assist with the search for a new superintendent.

Sechrist has been active in KASB leadership services that include superintendent searches since July 2013.

After two more visits to determine what characteristics the board believes are priority in a new superintendent, Sechrist will return on Jan. 8 to discuss the applicants who have been located and make recommendations to the board. That discussion will be conducted in executive session. 

In the interim, district patrons will be able to weigh in via an online survey. A link to the survey can be found on the USD 112 website, USD112.org, by clicking on Central Plains News – Superintendent Search.

Applications are due Jan. 3. The screening process is set to begin on Jan. 9, with interviews conducted by the board in the days following.

As part of the search schedule, KASB recommends that top candidates then receive a tour of all the communities and buildings they will serve within the district. The tour would be followed by a public meet-and-greet session. Formal interviews would then be conducted in executive session.

The anticipated hire date would be in January 2024, with the contract beginning on July 1, 2024.

The position is currently being advertised by KASB on the online Educate Kansas job board.