Board Approves Doug Conwell as 2013-2014 Superintendent
Launch the media gallery 1 playerMr. Doug Conwell Photo by Council Grove Republican
After interviewing three finalists last week for the superintendent of school position, the USD 417 Board of Education decided the best person to provide leadership and experience in facing the challenges of public education already was on the staff here, selecting Doug Conwell, interim superintendent, to lead the district during the 2013-2014 school year.
Marty White, president of the Board of Education, said, "Last week we interviewed three candidates who were very qualified and could have led our district, but it became more and more apparent that the best leader for USD 417 was already here, working as our interim superintendent. We believe that the leadership, experience and importance he places on doing what is right for our students will continue the progress our district is making.
"There are many challenges that face public education in Kansas at this time, and we believe having Mr. Conwell as our district leader will best serve us in meeting these challenges. We are thrilled that he accepted our offer."
Conwell, who was superintendent of schools in USD 320, Wamego, from 1996-2011 when he retired, was named interim superintendent here last Oct. 16, and started work on Oct. 18, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Mike Ford. Conwell's interim contract is effective through June 30.
Prior to his years as superintendent at Wamego, Conwell was superintendent in Vermillion USD 380 from 1994-1996; principal at Oskaloosa High School, 1990-1994; assistant principal at Junction City High School, 1989-1990; and government and economics teacher at Junction City High School, 1981-1989. He was a lance corporal in thje U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-1977.
Conwell earned a B.S. degree in sociology from Washburn University in 1981, master's degree in education administratiion from Kansas State University in 1989, and completed the Education Leadership program at the University of Kansas in 1993.
Before starting work in USD 417 last October, he had been providing executive mentoring/coaching for new Kansas superintendents with the Kansas Education Leadership Institute at Kansas State University, and a school improvement audit team member with responsibility for auditing district leadership with the Jones Institute at Emporia State University.