The superintendent of the Ozark School District says he plans to retire effective June 30.
Dr. Kevin Patterson has worked for the Ozark School District since 1987 as a math and computer teacher as well as an athletic coach, as an assistant principal at the high school, principal at the junior high and as assistant and associate superintendent before becoming superintendent in 2012.
Patterson will continue his career in education as the director of graduate education at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.
During Patterson’s tenure, he has helped lead Ozark School District through several impactful changes while maintaining a focus on student achievement, according to a statement from the district. Those include:
- Spearheading district-wide grade shifts and building projects through the long range planning process
- Directing the renovation and construction of West Elementary, Tiger Stadium, Transportation Center, Agricultural Vocational Center, weather safe facilities at each elementary, Ozark Junior High, Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center and Ozark Career Center
- Working to tie all salary schedules to one base salary "ensuring pay equity across the board"
- Ensuring the district "is fiscally responsible and conservative allowing for healthy fund balances, clean audits and staff pay increases"
- Enhancing system support for teachers and curriculum by adding key staff positions
- Directing the research and implementation of a model technology classroom for all K-12 buildings and leading the technology curriculum into model 21st Century standards
- Managing the technology infrastructure upgrades necessary to implement the district’s 1:1 initiative
- Implementing career and technical education programs, including Construction Trades, Automotive Technology, Marketing, Child Development and Culinary Arts, as well as bolstering existing programs such as FFA, Drafting and Project Lead the Way
- Developing District’s innovative planning process through Comprehensive School Improvement Plans
- Leading regional collaboration of school districts through programs such as GO CAPS (Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies), GOCSD (Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts) and the Christian County Course Exchange
- Guiding the district through implementing current mission, vision and Instructional Compass
- Implementing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for the district's emergency operations
- Strengthening community relationships through Partnership in Progress with the Chamber of Commerce and City of Ozark, as well as the Chamber’s Ozark Leads program.
The Ozark Board of Education plans to meet next Tuesday to review the superintendent’s letter of resignation.
