Kansas  School  Superintendents

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.

2019-2020 Events

6.18.2019 - 6.19.2019 - New Superintendents Workshop

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6.18.2019 - Dinner & Hospitality with New Superintendents

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9.11.2019  - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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9.11.2019 - Council of Superintendents

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10.9.2019 - Council of Superintendents

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11.1.2019 - Assistant Superintendent/Director Workshop

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11.13.2019 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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11.13.2019 - Council of Superintendents

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12.6.2019 - KSSA Day @ KASB

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1.15.2020 - KSSA Superintendent of the Year Awards Luncheon

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1.15.2020 - Council of Superintendents

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2.19.2020 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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2.19.2020 - Council of Superintendents

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2.21.2020 - Assistant Superintendent/Director Workshop

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4.15.2020 - KSSA Board of Directors Meeting

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4.15.2020 - Council of Superintendents

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

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

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