Ozark promotes from within for new superintendent

Photo provided by Ozark R-6 School District

Chris Bauman

The Ozark R-6 School District Board of Education again chose to promote one of its senior officials to superintendent rather than an outside hire.

Chris Bauman, the district’s executive director of operations, is scheduled to start as superintendent on July 1. He will succeed Kevin Patterson, who was assistant superintendent before taking on the top job in 2013. Patterson accepted a job as director of graduate education starting this summer at Southwest Baptist University.

Bauman was selected out of a field of 25 applicants, seven of whom were from out of state.

“During the interview process, the school board felt Chris really shined. He had a well-thought-out plan and a vision to lead Ozark into the future,” board President Patty Quessenberry said in a news release. “He is student-focused and will keep the culture of Ozark.”

In his current role held since 2013, Bauman reports to the superintendent and oversees fiscal management, budget development, human resources, facility maintenance, health services, transportation, food services and security.

With 20 years of education experience, Bauman joined the Ozark district in 1999, first as a math teacher, volleyball coach and wresting coach. After serving in Iraq for 14 months 2005-06, he returned to become assistant junior high principal and then principal of Ozark Upper Elementary, according to the release.