Interim superintendent Jeanice Swift received a standing ovation after the USD497 school board passed a unanimous motion appointing her to permanent office.
Board president Kelly Jones announced Swift’s nomination for a three-year contract in a Friday press release to the district.
The board attributes their confidence in Swift to her credentials. Having worked in education and administration for 15 years, and having served as interim superintendent since August, they felt Swift’s resume spoke for itself.
“Her expertise and knowledge really shines though,” Jones said. Continuing to address Swift directly, “Your ability to connect with teachers is because of your extensive work in the classroom, but also your dedication as an administrator to make sure their needs are met.”
Board member Anne Costello said Swift stood out from the very beginning as a strong candidate by voicing her interest in the Lawrence community specifically.
“I was just so blown away by how much research and how much you already knew about the town and the district,” Castello said. “You’d been paying attention and I just thought that was so amazing.”
Another component voiced by several board members, including Bob Byers, was Swift’s character.
“For me it’s about how you treat people in general,” Byers said. “What I loved about your initial resume was the discussion about the importance of family and children and that connection.”
According to executive director of human resources Kristen Ryan, Swift’s connection to the community went beyond her professional life.
“The immediate connection to our school community the first day you arrived was noticed and the impact of such a short time was noticed across this district,” Ryan said.
Swift recognized the challenges she has taken on this school year, both locally and nationally, and was thankful for the community’s support.
“I’m really grateful to the community for coming out and engaging,” Swift said. “I feel like we have a clear and collective direction.”
Swift was presented with not only praise, but a collection of Lawrence novels including Discovery of America detailing Lawrence indigenous history, Liberating Lawrence documenting early gay rights activists at KU, and Ladybird Collected, which coincidentally was the first restaurant where she dined with fellow board members.
“Welcome to Kansas, welcome to Lawrence, we are so glad to have you,” Jones said after presenting Swift with the literature.
Swift expressed her readiness to move forward.
“I appreciate your kind words,” Swift said. “We are in it for kids, and to support our staff, and to really engage and work alongside our community. That’s what it’s about, isn’t it?”
