Pittsburg Community Schools blog

Destry Brown, in his fourth year as superintendent at Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250, is a finalist for the 2013 Kansas Superintendent of the Year award.

The five finalists were announced Thursday by the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association. The award program, affiliated with the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Program, honors the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents. 

Joining Brown on the finalists list are Sue Givens, El Dorado USD 490; Bill Wilson, Scott County USD 466; Marlin Berry, Olathe USD 233; and Chuck Schmidt, Independence USD 446.

Brown said he is honored to be among this year’s finalists.

“There are many great superintendents in our state,” Brown said, “and I am flattered to be one of the finalists for this year’s award. I think this is a reflection of the district and the people with whom I work. I am fortunate to work with an outstanding faculty and staff, and it is because of them that I am a finalist for this high honor.”

Superintendent of the year candidates may be nominated by colleagues, community leaders or local board members. Candidates participate in a rigorous application process and are interviewed by a distinguished panel of former Kansas superintendents of the year.  Each superintendent is evaluated against the following criteria:

·         Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system.

·         Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.

·         Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.

·         Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.

"Each finalist was identified as a leader and visionary in the profession and as an individual who advocates for children and education in Kansas," Don Wells, KSSA Executive Director, said.

In recognition of this honor, each finalist will receive $500 from Ogden Financial Services to be used for a student scholarship in their district.  The Kansas Superintendent of the Year will be recognized at the KSSA Awards and Recognition breakfast during the USA|Kansas annual convention in January 2013, and will go on to compete in the National Superintendent of the Year program.  In addition, Kansas Truck provides a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior selected by the Kansas Superintendent of the Year.

For more information about the Superintendent of the Year program or the finalists, please visit http://www.kansassuperintendents.org or contact the KSSA office at 785-232-6566.