(The Examiner indicates that Gordon is currently the principal at Lexington High School. This is not the case. The current principal is Kyle Hoehner.)
New Administrator Announced for Truman High School (from District email)
David Gordon has been selected as principal of Truman High School. He comes to Truman with 33 years of experience in education, most recently serving as principal at Lexington High School in Lexington, Nebraska. Gordon received his Bachelor’s Degree from Huron College in South Dakota, and his Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I am the high school principal of Truman, a school with a rich history of successful academics and activities,” said Gordon.
Gordon added that he is excited to lead the Truman High School faculty in the use of Missouri’s Common Core State Standards, and the use of technology within all classrooms and subject areas. He has high expectations for students to excel as they pursue their choice of college, career, technical education, the military or the workforce.
Gordon is married to Dr. Tammy Gordon, who has her degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum/Instruction. They have two children and grandchildren living in Nebraska. Their son is an eight year veteran in education and their daughter is a recent graduate from nursing school with an emphasis in surgery.
Gordon will move to Independence in July to get a head start for the 2013-2014 school year.
LINK to Independence School District announcement.
WIKIPEDIA article on Lexington, Nebraska. (Very interesting about the town's large Hispanic population.)
SCHOOL LINK
Some related articles:
DECEMBER 2009
JANUARY 2010
So Mr. Gordon had 33 years in education, retired three years ago to spend time with his grandchildren and putt around on the golf course. Now he is moving away from Nebraska where all of his family resides and he is taking the helm at Truman. Sounds like he'll be in it for the long haul. I would guess another nationwide principal search will be conducted in about three years or so.
ReplyDeleteThat will be a search in 5 years, in time for him to get vested and receive a nice retirement from MO.
DeleteSo how long do you think it will be before his wife is also working for the district?
ReplyDeleteIf the District follows it's usual practice, if there is no job available for his wife, the CO will create one for her, with a generous salary and benefits.
DeleteI have a couple questions....
ReplyDelete1. How often do flagship schools fail to generate enough local interest to be inundated with qualified candidates with 10+ years left in their careers? There are plenty of administrators in the area who are very qualified, but did not get the job. I wonder why...are there any district policies that could act as a deterrent? Hmmmm....
2. How desperate does a central office have to be to hire a retired principal (3 years!?!) for only a few years?
3. How much did salary (130K) have to do with interest in the position to a small town Nebraska fella? I'm willing to bet that's a different tax bracket than what he made after 33 years in Lexington, NE. No problem - I'm sure our district has an accounting service lined up for him - or do we actually employ one next to our clinic, health club, etc.?
4. How long will he last in our school if he is not authentic? Is only in it for the big payout? Does not have a clue about PLCs, SLCs, etc.? Not long. I really hope he brings something to the table.
Nice job ISD admin and board of education! Way to attract the bright, eager up-and-comers/stars in the area with your misguided residency policy. You people are misguided and ridiculous.
If this (3 years out of the game - coming back for a big pay da...errr...to make a difference in the lives of our kids) doesn't speak loud-and-clear to the board, then they are clueless. I wonder how they schlepped this to the board. And why wasn't there a board member who stood up and said, "Really? Really? This is the best we could do? REALLY?!?!"
ReplyDeleteISD central office = incompetence on so many levels
All negative tone aside, I do not understand why there is not a competent replacement from within OR a competent assistant principal in an area school who is ready for a leadership position like this. Someone from the Kansas City area who understands the culture of Missouri, Kansas City side - heck, Independence. If I were a board member, I would want to know answers along those lines.
ReplyDeleteThis is all very interesting reading. As a local administrator involved in local and state professional organizations, i can tell you the Independence School District is not currently viewed in a positive light. I'm not completely sure what is going on there, but in the leadership circles I am a part of, we are avoiding Independence like the plague during this downturn. I guess you could say we are sitting this one out for a while. Good luck, Independence.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - is there a way to tell if there are "new comments" in current or past blog posts? This thing is getting so big it would be a nice feature.
ReplyDeleteKnock, knock...
ReplyDeleteFellow Patriots, have any of you met our new principal yet?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, yes . . .
ReplyDeletePiece. Of. Work.
ReplyDeleteSigh........
I didn't always agree with everything Barr decided in our school, but oh Lord we miss you right about now, Kristel!!!! But I'm also glad you escaped...but I want you back...but...I just realized how sorry I feel for her assistant principals who couldn't get out. I can shut my door and teach - they have to deal with that man daily.
ReplyDeleteAnd LOST: Principal at Truman
ReplyDeleteIn a shocking turn of good judgment, ISD FINALLY cut ties with a horrific choice to replace Kristel Barr as principal of Truman High School - David D-Bag Gordon. Let's just hope he was termin...errrr...resigned for personal issues without tax payers being on the hook for his remaining 130K salary.
And FOUND: The we-wouldn't-be-in-the-mess-we're-in-if-they-would-have-chosen-her-in-the-first-place principal - Pamela Freaking Boatright!
It is now Pam's job to salvage the year and THS. So much damage done by D D-Bag G. I know you can do it, Pam.
Does anyone ever read these any longer?!?!?
Why did Dave Gordon leave Truman High School?
ReplyDeleteDid they give him a by-out?
ReplyDelete