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Incoming OPS superintendent focused on student achievement, accountability

OPS

OPS’ superintendent-elect says he’s focused on student achievement, partnerships, and specific, measurable goals.The Omaha Public Schools board voted Monday night to hire Andover, Kansas, Public Schools superintendent Mark Evans as the district’s next leader, pending a successful contract. Evans joined the Andover Public Schools seven years ago. Prior to that, he served in assistant superintendent roles in the Wichita School District for 20 years.

Evans says in large school districts, it’s critical to have shared goals and visions for student achievement. “It creates with starting a system where with every single school you walk in and you know they own the students in that school. It gets that personal to me. So my vision is, if it’s that personal, and we make sure we’re protecting that level of ownership for students where everyone feels like, these are my children. These are my son and daughter.”

Evans says he plans to spend the next few months talking with OPS stakeholders and learning as much as he can about the district. The other two candidates for superintendent were from Iowa City and from Washington, D.C.

Former Ralston Public Schools leader Virginia Moon is serving as OPS’ interim superintendent.