Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Michael Schumacher will replace Dr. Michelle Hubbard as the new superintendent for the Shawnee Mission School District starting in the 2024-25 school year.
Schumacher is currently working to complete the district’s new strategic plan spanning from 2024 to 2029. He’s collaborating with the district’s Steering Committee composed of parents, students, classified and licensed staff including receptionists and paraprofessionals, PTA representatives, business leaders and community services as well as action teams including community volunteers, building and district level leadership team members, teachers, classified staff, site council members, students and parents. The district will present a finalized draft of the plan to the Board of Education on June 24.
Here’s Schumacher’s reflection on his experiences and discussion of what he hopes to bring to SMSD.
What initially drew you to the SMSD?
“Just the reputation honestly, the reputation of how great it is. When I was working on my doctorate, I asked to shadow a public school superintendent and I shadowed the superintendent here in Shawnee Mission, and it was amazing. I was like, ‘This is where I want to be.’ The system, the people, the resources, the opportunities are so incredible. So I always had a really high impression of Shawnee Mission. And then Dr. Hubbard actually recruited me here. She was an associate superintendent of leadership and learning at the time, and we still had a connection and she said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna have some openings. We’d love to get you over here.’ So I jumped on it.”
Are there any changes you’re planning to implement?
“I think one of the worst things any leader can do is to come in and start to upend things that are already working. Not that we won’t make changes, but I think the best thing you can do is step in and really observe and learn and see what’s working well. I’ve been a part of Dr. Hubbard’s executive team, and so I feel like the work we’ve done as a team under her leadership has been really positive. As an example, the school visits that we do on Thursdays are amazing. We’re going to continue doing that. We’re starting the second round of the strategic plan which involves a representative group of our community and that will set our course for the next five years. So no, I do not anticipate any massive changes immediately.”
What are some ways you plan on engaging the community?
“It’ll be those weekly school visits for sure, and then getting to as many events as possible. An example is I went to the SM South-East basketball game. It was great, incredible energy. And I’m starting to put things on my calendar already and so it needs to not just be sports. It’s going to be performing arts, it’s going to be all of the different things that our kids are doing. I recognize that the superintendent speaks for the district. One of my biggest jobs is to celebrate the great things that kids are doing, that our teachers are doing, and so I’m going to embrace that completely.”
What are some concerns you have for the upcoming school year?
“From a big district level, I would say school funding will continue to be a concern for all public schools. I would say that the value of public schools will continue to need to celebrate what we do and make sure people understand all of the value we bring to society. The teacher shortage crisis; we have less and less people choosing this wonderful profession and so it’s going to be harder and harder to recruit great talent because there’s less out there. So the emphasis will need to continue to be on retention of our great teachers who are working with students right now. Chronic absenteeism is a big deal. And it’s not just with SMSD, it’s across all school districts, but we need to attack that. Also making sure all of our kids feel a sense of belonging. We’re doing some great stuff, but we need to continue that work and commit to that.”
How can students do their part to make the district a better place?
“I think staying involved and getting involved. I believe this deeply from when I was a principal at a high school. I think the more kids can do to get involved in their school community, the better experiences they’re gonna have. So I think that’s one of the goals that we should have. I think we need to continue to push [getting involved in clubs and activities] and then [students] just doing the best they can in their classes and making sure that they’re getting the most out of what we’re able to offer as a school district.”
*photo courtesy of SMSD and the Johnson County Post
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