Alva Review-Courier -

At a special board meeting last week, Dr. Andi Williams announced her resignation as superintendent of South Barber School USD 255 in Kiowa, Kansas.

Dr. Williams told members of the South Barber Board of Education the decision “was not easy” and said, “It's been a pleasure to serve,” mentioning her aim is to assist in the search and transition. She told the Newsgram, “I have so enjoyed my time at South Barber and love the people and the school dearly.”

Williams is getting married and will continue to reside in Harper. She accepted a position with Wichita Public Schools as executive director of public affairs and special projects.

Her resignation at South Barber is effective June 30, the end of the school's fiscal year. Dr. Williams was hired as Superintendent at South Barber in June 2015.

At this special meeting the board passed Resolution 2018-12 to start the superintendent search. Board members discussed whether to use the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) or conduct the search themselves. Longtime board members said they remember doing both ways.

Dr. Williams had KASB representative Gary Sechrist on the phone. The board agreed to have him drive to Kiowa for a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m., from his home in Lyons, Kansas. He said the cost to the district to use KASB for the search is $3,750 plus his mileage, which is 120 miles one way from Lyons to Kiowa.

Sechrist said KASB provides nationwide advertisement and explained in great detail what goes on between KASB and the board for the search. He established a timeline for the board to have the most expedient search process.

May 9, Sechrist will meet with local focus groups the board suggests such as site council and others they are forming to establish characteristics of the district and what they want in their superintendent. He'll provide the board with a superintendent salary schedule.

May 22 is the deadline for the superintendent applications. On May 23 Sechrist will again meet with the board and they'll consider candidates to interview. May 29 – June 1 is the designated time to interview potential candidates.

Sechrist suggested creating a brochure for the district which can be created in a matter of days. The board approved getting a brochure and the agreement with KASB. He told the board that USD 255 will not pay KASB until they have a successful search.

“It's your search. We're here to guide you and keep you on track,” Sechrist told the board.

He said the board can hire an interim superintendent if desired and said he could give them a few possibilities in executive session. No action was taken afterward.

At the board meeting last week, board vice president Mark Pollock again conducted the meeting as he has numerous months in the absence of board president Steve Allen who has reportedly resigned his position.