The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools board on Friday afternoon appointed Dr. Anna Stubblefield as its new superintendent.
Dr. Stubblefield, currently deputy superintendent for the Lawrence Public Schools, will become superintendent on July 1.
Dr. Stubblefield replaces Dr. Charles Foust, who left last summer for another position. Dr. Alicia Miguel has served as interim superintendent since August 2020.
The school board voted unanimously to approve Dr. Stubblefield’s $235,000 base salary contract at the meeting, held at school district administrative offices. The contract is for three years. The public was not at the meeting room because of COVID-19, but watched on a YouTube meeting video.
The names of other finalists for the position were not released. The school board did not conduct any discussions about the individual candidates in public, but met in several closed sessions previously under a personnel exemption to the open meetings laws.
A district spokesman said that because of COVID-19 restrictions, the district couldn’t hold in-person community meetings as it did in 2018 with the last superintendent search. It held some virtual town hall meetings in January with community members able to make comments about the process. It also held an online survey.
“I’m excited about leading KCKPS, and I am just grateful for this opportunity,” Dr. Stubblefield said. “I really appreciate the board entrusting over 22,000 students under my care with the team that’s already in place.”
She said she looked forward to working with staff, students and community members to reach the vision of being one of the top 10 school districts in the country.
“I look forward to listening to your stories and to hearing what it is you’re doing well and where we can grow, so we can ensure that all our students, when they leave KCKPS, that they have options and opportunities that we all have,” Dr. Stubblefield said.
She said she hoped with their support, they can empower and change lives as they move KCKPS forward.
Dr. Miguel, who will continue to be the interim superintendent until July 1, said KCKPS is strong and she knows it will be stronger with Dr. Stubblefield’s leadership. Lopez thanked Dr. Miguel for her service, and Dr. Miguel received a standing ovation from the staff who were present at the meeting.
With the appointment Friday, Dr. Stubblefield will become the first Black woman superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools.
“We are truly excited about the hiring of Dr. Stubblefield and look forward to the experience and leadership she will bring to our school district and community,” Randy Lopez, board president, said. “She brings a wealth of invaluable knowledge in the areas of school improvement and organizational change, which will be vital during this time of transition.”
The school district started its superintendent search in November 2020. They received 21 applications from 11 states.
Dr. Stubblefield served as interim superintendent of the Lawrence Public Schools in 2017-2018. Her responsibilities as deputy superintendent included human resources, special education and student services, curriculum and instruction and the Lawrence Virtual School.
Active in the district’s equity work, she also served as an assistant superintendent, director of human resources and middle school principal. She began her career as a teacher and became a coach and assistant principal in the Blue Valley and Center school districts.
Dr. Stubblefield received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas. She has master’s degrees in special education, and teaching and leadership. She has an educational specialist’s degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Her doctorate in educational leadership is from St. Louis University.
Currently, Dr. Stubblefield also is an adjunct instructor for KU and Baker University.
The April 23 meeting is online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlY_yKJd8VE.