Interviews are underway for finalists looking to be named as the next Superintendent of USD 253 Emporia Public Schools.
Up first is current USD 367 Osawatomie Superintendent Greg Clark, who arrived in Emporia on Monday. During an interview with local media Monday morning, Clark stated he applied for the Emporia position as an opportunity to return to his educational roots.
Audio PlayerIn addition to his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State, Clark also holds a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State, a Building Leadership degree from Baker and a District Leadership degree from Wichita State. Clark’s career began in Derby, where he was a classroom teacher for 13 years before he moved into administrative roles, including time as a principal in Augusta and Superintendent at USD 112 Central Plains.
As part of his time in Emporia, Clark toured all district facilities, met with building and district leadership and attended a meet and greet with the community. Clark says the opportunity to engage with stakeholders in the district is very important to him and something he will look to continue on a regular basis if chosen as the district’s next leader.
Audio PlayerIf chosen as the district’s next superintendent, Clark says there are two key areas he plans to focus on right off the bat.
Audio PlayerAccomplishing those goals will not be an individual effort in Clark’s mind as he says every good leader needs to surround themself with a capable and quality team.
Audio PlayerAdditional finalist interviews are coming Tuesday and Wednesday with their official interviews taking place at 6:30 pm inside of the Mary Herbert Education Center each evening. Director of Communications and Marketing Lyndel Landgren says no action is anticipated after the first two interviews, but there may be action to extend an offer after the third on Wednesday. The district is tentatively planning to announce its next superintendent on April 7 at Mary Herbert, although the time for that announcement has not been set.
The chosen candidate will replace Dr. Allison Anderson Harder, who is retiring effective July 1 after a nearly 30-year career with the district. After briefly serving as the district’s interim superintendent following the sudden resignation of Kevin Case in 2020, Anderson-Harder was appointed to the full-time position in February of 2021.
8:20 am
Interviews are starting for finalists hoping to lead USD 253 Emporia.
The district has named Greg Clark, currently the superintendent of USD 367 Osawatomie, as its first finalist. Clark began his education career as a teacher in the Derby school district and worked in the classroom for 13 years before shifting to administration, starting as a principal in the Augusta district before holding his first superintendent job at USD 112 Central Plains.
Clark has a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, as well as a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State, a Building Leadership degree from Baker and a District Leadership degree from Wichita State.
Clark interviews Monday.
6:30 am Monday: Official interviews begin Monday for USD 253 superintendent position
Busy days are ahead this week for both USD 253 Emporia Board of Education members and the three finalists for district superintendent.
The board has scheduled interviews Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Candidates begin literally a full day of conversations around 9:15 am each day with tours, meetings with building and district leadership team members, community meet-and-greet events at Mary Herbert Education Center at 3:30 pm and special board meetings at Mary Herbert at 6:30 pm for the official interviews.
Director of Communications and Marketing Lyndel Landgren says no action is anticipated after the first two interviews, but there may be action to extend an offer after the third on Wednesday. The district is tentatively planning to announce its next superintendent April 7 at Mary Herbert, although the time for that announcement has not been set.
The district is filling the seat officially opening up July 1 when Allison Anderson-Harder retires after four years as superintendent and over 30 years in education.
