Former Branson superintendent tapped to lead state association

The Missouri Association of School Administrators promoted former Branson Public Schools Superintendent Doug Hayter to the top spot.

Hayter is scheduled to succeed Roger Kurtz as executive director of MASA. Kurtz, who has led the statewide advocacy organization for superintendents and central office administrators since 2007, is slated to retire Dec. 31, according to a news release. Hayter left his 13-year job as superintendent in Branson to start Jan. 1 as associate executive director of MASA.

“He possesses the vision, the integrity and the collaborative skills necessary to build capacity in others and move MASA forward as we accomplish the goals outlined in our strategic plan,” MASA board President Aaron Zalis said in the release.

As executive director of MASA, Hayter is tasked with leading an association that represents more than 900 school superintendents and central office administrators. His primary duties are carrying out MASA’s long-range strategic plan, maintaing membership numbers and financial stability, and building partnership to advance public education.

“We were pleased to have several high-quality candidates vying for the position and I sincerely believe our interview team and the executive committee represented the membership during this selection process,” Zalis said in the release.