TOPEKA – Following a nationwide search, the Kansas State Board of Education today announced its selection of Dr. Randy Watson, Superintendent of McPherson Unified School District 418, to become Kansas’ next Commissioner of Education. Watson replaces Dr. Diane DeBacker who resigned her position earlier this year to serve as senior advisor to the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
Dr. Watson, who was recently named 2015 Kansas Superintendent of the Year by the Kansas School Superintendents Association, brings more than 30 years of Kansas education experience to the position, having served as a high school social studies teacher in Andover and Tescott, and assistant principal, principal and superintendent in the McPherson district. He holds a Bachelor of Science, History; Master of Science, Educational Administration; and Doctor of Education from Kansas State University. Under his leadership, the McPherson district was the first to receive a federal waiver from No Child Left Behind education law and gained statewide recognition for the development of its C3 – Citizenship, College and Career Ready plan – a clear articulation of the district’s goals for every student and a prescribed plan to achieve them.
“Randy is a true visionary who will bring innovative leadership to Kansas’ public education,” said KSBE Chairwoman Jana Shaver. “He has earned the respect of educators and education agencies throughout Kansas because of his innovative thinking and relentless pursuit of excellence in education. We believe he has what it takes to not only continue the great work of Kansas, but to inspire our schools to reach the next level.”
This past spring, Dr. Watson was instrumental in gaining approval for McPherson to become one of the first districts awarded innovative district status, a state program providing exemptions from most state laws, and rules and regulations in order to improve student achievement. Shortly thereafter, he was named Chairman of the Coalition of Innovative School Districts. Dr. Watson served as the 2013 President of the Kansas Association of School Superintendents and the 2010 Chair of the Council of Superintendents, and is a current member of the Kansas/Missouri Superintendent Forum Board of Directors.
Dr. Watson and his wife Debbie currently live in McPherson. They have two children, daughter Melissa and son Phillip.