Monett district names new superintendent

The Monett R-1 School District named a new superintendent after the recent death of its leader.

The school board yesterday voted to promote Mark Drake to the top role after being hired last year as assistant superintendent, according to a news release. He succeeds Russ Moreland, who died suddenly last year at age 50.

Drake is scheduled to start as superintendent on July 1. Kent Medlin, a retired superintendent, was appointed in November as the Monett district's interim leader.

"Out of high applicants, Dr. Mark Drake is the transformational leader the Monett school district needs," said school board President AJ Bahl, in the release. "He understands the importance of community building and acquires an unyielding commitment to students' success."

Drake is slated to lead a district that currently has 2,648 students and 444 staff members, according to the release.

With 22 years of education experience, Drake's previous roles include high school principal in Liberty and middle school principal for the East Newton district.