2020 KSSA Distinguished Service Award Given to John Burke of Haysville

Each year, the Kansas School Superintendents' Association recognizes the outstanding contributions of one member to the organization and to the education profession. Kansas is blessed with outstanding superintendents who support public education and KSSA; only a few superintendents have shown the commitment, research, and voice as this year’s honoree.

Dr. John Burke is completing his 35th year as a Kansas Superintendent. His experiences as superintendent have taken him to Marion, Valley Falls, Neodesha and the last 18 years in Haysville, Kansas. 

John brought "Capturing Kids Hearts" to Haysville which transformed the way students and staff interact. It was so successful all 11 schools became National Showcase Schools which lead to the first National Showcase District award. They duplicated this achievement the following year to become the first "Back to Back National Showcase District Award" winners. 

In 2015, through his leadership, the district passed a $59M bond project, with almost 80% of the voters saying Yes.

He has been very active throughout his career with memberships in KSSA, USA-Kansas, AASA, and more. He has presented at numerous regional, state and national conferences including the ASCD and AASA National Conferences on multiple occasions. He has also been very engaged supporting future administrators by teaching administration courses at multiple colleges and universities in the state.

He is a member of Haysville Forward, Haysville Chamber of Commerce, and is active in his church.

2020-2021 Events

9.16.2020  - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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9.16.2020 - Council of Superintendents - Topeka or online

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9.17.2020 - Superintendent topic P.D. - Topeka or online 

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10.12.2020- Announce 2021 Kansas Supt. of the Year

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10.15.2020 - Council of Superintendents - Dodge City

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10.16.2020 - Superintendent topic P.D.- Dodge City

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11.10.2020 - Expanding Leadership - KSSA Asst. Supt.

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11.18.2020 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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11.18.2020 - Council of Superintendents - Topeka

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11.19.2020 - Superintendent topic P.D.- Topeka

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12.4.2020 - KSSA Day @ KASB

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1.20.21 - KSSA Superintendent of the Year Awards - Topeka

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1.21.2020 - Council of Superintendents - Topeka

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2.10.2021 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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2.10.2021 - Council of Superintendents - Topeka

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2.11.2021 - Superintendent topic P.D.- Topeka

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2.18 - 2.20, 2021 AASA National Conf. - New Orleans

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2.23.2021- Expanding Leadership - KSSA Asst. Supt.

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4.14.2021 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting - Topeka

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4.15.2021 - Superintendent topic P.D.- Topeka

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Our Mission

The mission of the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association is to serve the growth, development and general encouragement of the Kansas System of Education.

Our Vision

The Kansas School Superintendents Association was established to support Kansas School District Leadership in three areas: Professional Development, Communication and Advocacy. 

Services​

• Council of Superintendents

• Awards and Recognition 

• New Superintendent Support

• ​Legislative Advocacy

• ​State Level Committee Appointments

• ​News and Bulletins 

• Professional Development 

• ​Resources

• Statement of Ethics​

Dr. Cory Gibson Named 2020 Kansas Superintendent of the Year

Topeka, Kansas - The Kansas School Superintendents' Association has selected Valley Center Superintendent Dr. Cory Gibson as the 2020 Kansas Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Gibson has been the proud Superintendent of Schools in the Valley Center School District since 2012. Valley Center USD 262 serves more than 3,130 students from the communities of Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, and Wichita. He started his administrative career in 2002 as a Principal in Miami, Oklahoma before moving to Pittsburg where he served as a Principal and Assistant Superintendent. In 2010 he moved to Halstead, Kansas as the Superintendent of Schools.
 
Dr. Gibson, along with fellow Superintendent of the Year finalists Dr. Shelly Kiblinger, Cherryvale-Thayer and Dr. Chad Higgins, Maize were interviewed by former Kansas Superintendents of the Year late last week.  This committee made the final recommendation for the Kansas Superintendent of the Year. Candidates for Superintendent of the Year are assessed according to their professionalism, communication, community involvement, and leadership while meeting the needs of the local communities and most importantly their students. As Kansas Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Gibson will now be considered for the National Superintendent of the Year program. KSSA, in cooperation with the Ogden Financial Group, will host a celebration honoring him in January along with providing a $1,000 scholarship to a Kansas High School senior to be selected by the Kansas Superintendent of the Year.
 
Dr. Gibson received his Bachelors, Masters, and Educational Specialist degrees from Pittsburg State University.  In November of 2016 he received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Arkansas. In 2016 the Wichita Business Journal recognized Dr. Gibson as one of the top 40 leaders under 40. He has been very involved with his community.  He is a charter member of the Valley Center Kiwanis Club, St. Catherine’s Knights of Columbus, Valley Center Fall Festival Committee and is a member of the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Gibson has also been very involved with his professional organizations, serving as a Director and President for the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association.  He also belongs to the Kansas/Missouri Superintendents leadership forum and is a board member for the United School Administrators of Kansas.
 
Valley Center School District is one of the few school districts around Wichita which has seen substantial growth over the last 15-20 years. In an effort to rebrand the district and realign stakeholder’s perception of a robust and forward-thinking district, Valley Center has updated and replaced almost every visual reminder of the district. In the last seven years the district’s vision statement, mission statement, tagline, logo, and athletic logo have been replaced. This is no easy task in a tradition-rich district such as Valley Center. The work to rebrand the district included patrons' input and even their help in creating the new logos. The new visual representations are all original and copyrighted.

Dr. Gibson shared that people who have lived or worked in the district for decades can be found wearing the new logos and frequently share how proud they are of the progress towards a "New Valley". When business leaders were recently asked what the community is known for (greatest asset to Valley Center) they all agreed it is the district. They believe it is the school district that is driving growth and economic prosperity in their community. With that comes pride and responsibility.