Arnhold honored by peer organization
Staff reporter
Ken Arnhold, principal of Marion High School, was recognized Nov. 2 as the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals (KASSP) Area III High School Principal Honoree.
Arnhold was nominated and selected by peer principals. Candidates are evaluated on their school leadership, school improvements, dedication, professionalism, and service to students.
"We are delighted that Mr. Arnhold has been recognized by his peers from this area and by the statewide organization," said Gerald W. Henderson, superintendent of USD 408.
"Ken is an outstanding educational leader and one of the best I have ever worked with at motivating staff and students."
Arnhold has been the MHS principal for seven years. Before coming to MHS, he was the K-12 principal at Miltonvale, taught drama and journalism at Stockton, woodworking at Ellis, and carpentry at a vocational technical school.
Arnhold grew up in Hays, graduated from Hays High School, and Ft. Hays State University with a dual degree in industrial arts, and speech and theatre.
"The most important aspect of my job is relating to the needs of students, faculty and community ," said Arnhold.
Arnhold sees himself as the "cheerleader."
"The only nights I'm at home (some weeks) are Wednesdays and Sundays," said Arnhold.
Known for his presence at high school events, Arnhold thinks it's important for students to know that he's there to support them. If it involves his students, he tries to be there.
"Visibility at school activities is important," said Arnhold. He realizes that parents can't make it to every event which their children are involved.
Arnhold credits his success to a supportive staff and involved parents.
"It's the people around me (staff, parents, students, school board, and community) that make this recognition possible," said Arnhold. They have assisted him in making the strides that make success possible.
Arnhold also credits Superintendent Gerry Henderson and the school board.
"I have been given the freedom to try new things," said Arnhold. "If I hadn't been given those freedoms, a lot of these programs wouldn't have been introduced."
Believing that community support is essential for high school students, Arnhold tries to involve the community as much as he can. Most recently, he invited the community to recognize students who excelled in the standard of excellence test.
Active in the community himself, Arnhold is a member of the Marion Kiwanis Club, assists with set construction for the musicals, community theatre, and summer theatre, and is a 4-H woodworking leader.
Among his accomplishments as principal are facility changes with the new addition of the Marion Middle School and improvements to the high school, technology in education, and the school improvement process.
"My big challenge when I first came to Marion was to get the high school students to take testing seriously," said Arnhold. Staff and parents have assisted him in getting this accomplished.
"I have a great staff," said Arnhold. "And the parents' involvement makes my job easier."
Arnhold remembers when he was considering taking the position at MHS and his first impressions of Marion.
"I was very selective when looking at changing jobs," said Arnhold. "I saw Marion's park, the lakes, and the community as a whole."
"When people move to the area and work some place else, they're looking at more than just Marion to relocate. We have to 'sell' our schools
Arnhold and his wife, Teri, have three children, Leah who graduated from MHS in 1999, Levi who graduated in 1999, and Chelsea who is a junior.
KASSP is an organization of more than 500 secondary school principals from Kansas. There are six areas with an honoree chosen from each area.
