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Kevin PattersonPhoto provided by OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Kevin Patterson

Photo provided by OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT

Ozark School District names superintendent

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The Ozark R-6 School District has tapped current Associate Superintendent Kevin Patterson to fill its top administrative position beginning in the 2013-14 school year.

Signed to a two-year contract as superintendent, Patterson will succeed Gordon Pace, who plans to retire June 30, according to a news release.

The Missouri State School Board Association conducted the search for the Christian County district, selecting 25 candidates from Missouri and surrounding states. Patterson was one of seven finalists chosen for one-on-one interviews with the school board during a period of several days.

The board gave its president, Chuck Fugate, the go-ahead to negotiate a contract with Patterson during a special meeting Dec. 9. District Director of Communications Curtis Chesick said the decision, along with Patterson’s salary, will not be finalized until the board’s regularly scheduled Dec. 20 meeting. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Pace’s annual salary is $135,715.

Taking the position July 1, Patterson has been with the district since 1987, starting out as a math and computer teacher and moving into administrative roles as high school assistant principal in 1996, junior high school principal in 2002 and associate superintendent in 2006.

"I have been in the school district for 26 years and have considered it an honor to serve the Ozark School District students and patrons in my past roles,” Patterson said in the release. “The opportunity to continue to work with such a wonderful community of students, educators and patrons is both exciting and humbling."

The district cited numerous reasons for the choice, including Patterson’s work to redraw district lines with the addition of a new elementary, working with Pace and the district’s chief financial officer on a budget plan, and Patterson’s oversight in district construction projects such as West Elementary, the transportation center, agricultural vocational center and Ozark Career Center.   

Chesick said a timeline has not yet been finalized for hiring Patterson’s replacement, adding the district plans to restructure some of Patterson’s current duties before opening the position for applications.[[In-content Ad]]

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