The Park Hill School District has narrowed its field of candidates for the next superintendent to three, including one current district administrator.
The announcement was made at the Thursday, Feb. 24 board of education meeting. The board plans to interview the final candidates this week with an announcement made later this month.
Current assistant superintendent Dr. Mike Kimbrel oversees academic services. He led Park Hill’s quality and continuous improvement efforts, which led to the Missouri Quality Award in 2015, and he was consulted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on accountability and measurement.
Dr. Joe Lopez is the superintendent of the Kermit Independent School District in Texas. He implemented the first full immersion computer science elementary school in his region of Texas and established a superintendent’s advisory council of students, staff, parents and community members.
Dr. Vickie Murillo is the superintendent of the Council Bluffs Community School District in Iowa. She implemented a “diploma +1” program to provide students with a second credential at graduation, and she created partnerships and resources to expand early childhood opportunities.
In October 2021, current superintendent Dr. Jeanette Cowherd asked the board not to extend her contract, which will expire at the end of June. In a statement released by the district, Cowherd said she does not know what her next steps will be, but she is looking forward to new opportunities with the flexibility to spend more time with her family and friends.
She became Park Hill’s superintendent in 2015 after a national search and on the heels of the surprise resignation of former superintendent Dr. Scott Springston. She served as interim superintendent for eight months and had served as a building administrator and assistant superintendent.
The board moved forward with the process to replace Cowherd in December after securing the services of Ray and Associates to conduct a national search.
Also at the meeting, Cowherd announced that after spring break the district expects to drop most COVID restrictions.
The district is monitoring the number of COVID cases and staff absences and currently cases are falling among students and staff. Should numbers remain on a downward trend, beginning March 21 the district plans a more direct return to normalcy.
Planned changes include the end of notifications on individual COVID cases, although the district dashboard will still be updated; gatherings and events will be held without capacity restrictions; and visitors and volunteers will be able to return to schools.
Students and staff will still be sent home when sick and classroom birthday treats will still be limited to an approved list.
Additionally, the district has promised updated information on background screening requirements for classroom volunteers.