Another leadership position within USD 253 Emporia is now vacant; however, it may not remain so for long.
During an interview with KVOE News Tuesday morning, new USD 253 Superintendent Dr. David McGehee stated that in recent weeks, there have been several notable changes in district leadership roles, including one that came as a surprise.
Stranathan was named as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations back in February of 2023 and took up the position in July of that same year, replacing McGehee, whose interim contract ended that June. Stranathan would be appointed to the position permanently later in 2023.
Before her time with the district and ESSDACK, Stranathan served as Gardner-Edgerton’s superintendent from 2014-2021.
KVOE News has reached out to Stranathan for comment on her departure and plans for the future. Those calls have not been returned.
Stranathan’s departure comes at the same time that the district is searching for a new Director of Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning following the retirements of Judy Stanley and Jared Giffin earlier this month. The search for Stranthan’s replacement may not be a lengthy one as during his interview with KVOE News Tuesday, McGehee stated there is an individual he is looking to hire, possibly as soon as Wednesday.
KVOE News did inquire as to who the individual McGehee is looking to hire may be. He did not offer specifics but stated it is a male who has had over a decade of experience as a superintendent in a “smaller district.” The employee recommendations section of the USD 253 board agenda, available at USD253.org, lists Stranathan’s resignation and a recommendation for the appointment of Joshua Swartz as the new interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations effective August 4.
Stranathan and McGehee’s appointments as interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations in 2023 followed the dismissal of longtime Assistant Superintendent Rob Scheib in early February of 2023.
