Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Kyle Hayden was chosen as superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools, effective July 1, 2016. Earlier this year, current Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll announced his resignation effective June 30, 2016 to be come assistant professor and executive director of the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute at Kansas State University.

The Lawrence Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to elect Hayden as Superintendent.

“We have carefully considered feedback from teachers, staff, community members and students, which has guided and informed this entire process,” Board President Vanessa Sanburn said, in a press release. “We are confident that Kyle Hayden is the best choice among three exceptional candidates to address our districts challenges and advance our vision for outstanding student achievement.”

Kyle has worked as Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, High School Principal, Assistant principal, taught social studies and coached at various Kansas High Schools. He has worked for the USD 497 since 2011. Kyle was excited to hear he received the position.

“It’s overwhelming, it’s humbling … it’s actually kind of emotional, it really is,” he said. “People that you have worked with, reaching out to you, just telling me they’re proud of me. It means a lot.”

Kyle’s wife Katy Hayden, who teaches social studies at Free State, is also very proud of him.

“I think he will be really good (at the job). He’s very honest and hard working and he always asks himself ‘is it good for kids?’ and he makes hard decisions based on that,” she said.

As far as his goals for next year, Kyle hopes to continue the work that the school district has done under Dr. Doll, focusing on such aspects as equity and student achievement.

“My goals are really quite aligned to what they have been for the last few years … I value the board’s goals process and how they have done it,” Kyle said. “Our equity work would be something that is going to be a primary focus … and how that relates to achievement of all students. Closing the achievement gap will continue to be focused on, graduation rates and making sure all students are achieving at high levels [as well].”

Kyle also plans to get more involved in the different schools and be more engaged with students and staff members.

“One of the things that actually I intend to start very soon … is getting out into our schools and talking to some of our teachers and our students about what is important to them,” he said.

Kyle traces his involvement in education back to when he was a child and his mother worked as a high school secretary. He also did custodial work as a teenager.

“I realized that every person was important and an integral part of a school district and the success of a school district,” he said. “I think that has made me a better leader.”