Board Announces New Superintendent of Schools
January 9, 2018
The Lindbergh Schools Board of Education voted 7-0 on Jan. 7 to hire Dr. Tony Lake as the district’s next superintendent of schools, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Lake currently serves as Chief Operations Officer of Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kan.
“Dr. Lake was a clear frontrunner in an excellent pool of applicants, with a proven track record as an instructional leader and experience in the business operations of a school district,” said Karen Schuster, Lindbergh Schools Board of Education president. “Lindbergh students deserve an outstanding learning environment, and our families have come to expect it. Dr. Lake’s enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in education is evident, and we are confident in his strong leadership abilities that will continue to place Lindbergh as one of the top academically performing school districts in Missouri.”
Dr. Lake brings 27 years of education experience to his new role at Lindbergh, including 16 years in public school administration. He began his career as a middle school and high school social studies teacher, and later served as associate principal and principal of Shawnee Mission North High School, and principal of Blue Valley West High School. Prior to filling his current role as Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Lake served as Executive Director of School Administration for Blue Valley USD 229. Blue Valley is a school district in the Kansas City metro area that serves 22,200 students in grades K-12.
As Chief Operations Officer in Blue Valley, Dr. Lake oversees all district operations, including education and management activities for five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. In addition. Dr. Lake coordinates the facility planning, design and construction, and student activity advisory committees for the Board of Education. He is also responsible for the implementation, development and budgeting of bond projects.
Dr. Lake earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in educational leadership from Baker University in Overland Park. He also holds a bachelor of science in education degree from John Brown University in Arkansas. He and his wife, Jennifer, met when they were students at John Brown University and have been married for 25 years. They have two daughters, Taylor and Makenzie.
He will enter in to a three-year contract with Lindbergh Schools, with a starting salary of $200,000.
Open House This Saturday, Jan. 13
The community is invited to meet Dr. Lake during an open house from 2-3 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Lindbergh Early Childhood Education, 4814 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Lindbergh Superintendent Search Background
The Lindbergh Schools Board of Education began its superintendent search earlier this fall, hiring Missouri School Boards Association Consultant Dr. Brent Underwood to facilitate the process.
Prior to conducting interviews, the board closely analyzed community feedback from various stakeholder groups, including students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators and community members. This feedback was gathered during nine focus groups, and through an online feedback form that collected more than 800 responses.
Thirty-three individuals applied for the position, and the board conducted interviews in December.