Consolidating several district-level duties, the Blair Oaks R-2 School District has hired Kimberley Walters as assistant superintendent for the 2022-23 school year.
Walters is the principal of the district's intermediate school, as well as coordinator of special projects for the district.
The assistant superintendent position will assume the duties performed by the coordinator of special projects and the director of federal programs, as well as other duties associated with curriculum and assessment, building level administrator support, school safety planning and procedures, and supervision of buildings and grounds, food services, health services, library/media services, and transportation, Superintendent Jim Jones said.
"Dr. Walters has been a leader in our district in response to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and in the construction of phase 1 of the new high school," Jones said. "She has been an integral part of the planning and processes associated with the start of a preschool program at Blair Oaks for the 2022-23 school year. She will continue to be a part of these projects moving forward."
Walters' role as principal is an 11-month position and pays $90,000 a year; her new title will be a 12-month position at $98,000.
Her promotion will result in a vacancy for position of intermediate school principal for the 2022-23 school year. The district is finalizing plans and a timeline for filling the position.
The board explored adding the position for the 2021-2022 school year, but postponed the addition until the 2022-23 school year, Jones said.
"With the district opening a fourth building and expanding pre-kindergarten possibilities at the elementary school level, duties and responsibilities have expanded to a point that one person cannot meet the demands of high expectations we all have become accustomed to," Jones said. "I have always thought my best was good enough, but there is only so much time in the day and there is only one of me. The addition of this position will not only elevate the district in the short term, but also prepare the district for long-term challenges to be faced as critical leadership positions across the district change over the next few years.
"In the position of assistant superintendent, Dr. Walters will allow for a seamless transition in those positions with the institutional knowledge she possesses. All the other positions will be able to lean on her experience to keep Blair Oaks moving forward," he said.
Walters has 23 years of experience in education, coming to the Blair Oaks district in July 2012, according to news release issued by the district. She has served as elementary school principal, middle school principal, intermediate school principal, director of federal programs and coordinator of special projects during her tenure at Blair Oaks.
Prior to coming to Blair Oaks, Walters spent four years as K-12 principal at the Hale R-1 School District. Before becoming a principal, she spent nine years in the classroom.
Walters received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and special education from Missouri Western State University, her master's degree in elementary administration from William Woods University and her doctorate degree in educational administration from William Woods.
She and her husband, Rev, have five children.