Marion school board discusses superintendent candidates
Staff writer
Members of the Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education met in special session Tuesday night to discuss the results of their superintendent interviews.
"The purpose of this meeting is to come to a consensus regarding the candidates," Martin Tice, business manager and clerk of the board, said Friday.
During the past two weeks, the board has interviewed five candidates, all seeking the superintendent of schools position. The candidates also were interviewed by teams of administrators, certified, and support staff.
Each of the candidates had the opportunity to meet the public during receptions sponsored by the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Interviewed earlier were Doug Powers of Shawnee, executive director of educational services with DeSoto USD 232; and Drew Harris of Burrton, superintendent of schools in Burrton.
Randl (Randy) G. Rivers from Alma was in Marion Jan. 27. Currently, he is the superintendent of schools for USD 329 Mill Creek Valley located in Alma, a position he has held since 1999. Prior to that, Rivers was a middle school principal in Belle Plaine.
Rivers also served as business manager and educational technology coordinator in USD 353 Wellington. Earlier he taught computer science, business law, economics, and was district computer coordinator for that district.
During his public reception, Rivers said it was his first visit to the area and he was very impressed with the community.
"It's very beautiful here," Rivers said. "You have lovely old store buildings and people here are very friendly."
Rivers said he decided to seek the USD 408 superintendent position because he was interested in trying something new.
"We've made some progress in the district I'm in and I'm looking for new challenges," he said.
Don Blome from Burlingame was the guest of honor during a Jan. 28 public reception. Blome is familiar with Marion County after spending four years as principal of Centre Junior/Senior High from 1996 to 1998.
Currently, Blome serves as superintendent of schools with USD 454 Burlingame, a position he has held since 2000. Prior to that time, he was a high school principal at Yates Center.
Before working in the Centre district, Blome was an administrative intern in Wamego and taught agricultural education in both Wamego and Osborne.
Blome said he decided to apply for the superintendent position because he was familiar with Marion County.
"This is a good area and a good place to raise a family," Blome said. "I've been through the schools and you have very nice facilities."
The fifth and final individual to be interviewed for the superintendent position was Lee Leiker of Johnson. Currently he is the superintendent of schools for Stanton County, a position he has held since 2001.
Before then, Leiker served as high school principal in Atwood and earlier in Colby. He also was a math and computer instructor and coach at Smith Center and at Colby.
During his public reception Monday at the chamber office, Leiker said he was interested in the Marion-Florence position because of the professional growth it would provide.
"We're also interested in relocating to eastern Kansas because there's greater cultural opportunities," Leiker said. "You've got more universities and colleges here which gets to be more important as one grows older."
School in Marion-Florence USD 408 was not in session Monday due to Sunday's snowstorm and Leiker said he was sorry he missed the opportunity to see district classrooms in action.
"But I've met a lot of wonderful people and I compliment the school district for their organization in the interview process," he said.
