The search for USD 253 Emporia’s next superintendent continued Tuesday.
Kevin Hansford, currently the superintendent for USD 331 Kingman-Norwich, was the second finalist to interview for the position. Hansford has over 20 years of experience in education and has held several administrative roles including as a building principal at both the elementary and high school levels for USD 202 Turner, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for USD 453 Leavenworth and Director of Elementary Services for USD 512 Shawnee Mission before his current role with USD 331.
When asked why he chose to make Emporia his next destination, Hansford told KVOE News that the potential for post-secondary success within the community was a big draw.
Audio PlayerCurrently, Hansford oversees about 800 students in the Kingman-Norwich district and KVOE News asked if he had any concerns with potentially moving to a larger district. Pointing to his previous appointments at Shawnee Mission and Turner, Hansford says he feels as though he would be returning to a familiar setting rather than stepping into a new environment.
Audio PlayerHansford follows Greg Clark, the current superintendent of USD 367 Osawatomie who interviewed for the position Monday. The final superintendent interview will take place Wednesday with the final candidate to be announced Wednesday morning.
Like Clark and Hansford, the final candidate’s time in Emporia will include tours of the district, meetings with building and district leadership team members, a community meet-and-greet at Mary Herbert Education Center at 3:30 pm and a special board meeting at 6:30 pm for the official interview.
USD Director of Communications Lyndel Landgren has told local media the board will not take any action following Wednesday’s interview. Action is anticipated, however, during a special meeting of the board on Monday inside of the Mary Herbert Education Center when the district’s new superintendent may be announced.
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.
