The USD 497 School Board named a new superintendent late last night on Tuesday, Mar. 8 to replace outgoing superintendent Rick Doll.

Doll announced his resignation on Nov. 23 after accepting a position at Kansas State University.

Kyle Hayden, who is currently the assistant superintendent of business and operations for the district, was chosen unanimously by the Board to replace Doll.

Hayden said at a press conference held this morning that as superintendent he plans to continue the Board goals of equity and engagement that were established during Doll’s leadership.

However, Hayden said he will approach those goals in a different way. For example, he wants to get feedback from students and staff at school instead of them coming to the Board.

“One of the things that actually I intend to start very soon… is getting out into our schools and talking to some of our teachers and our students about what’s important to them and doing that in the next few months before school’s even out,” Hayden said.

Hayden said he is looking forward to the differences in being superintendent as well as the similarities to his current job.

“It’s…exciting to me to get to talk with more people…about student-centered things,” Hayden said.