John Thissen will begin serving in his new leadership role as Superintendent of Schools for Hays USD 489 on July 1.

The Board of Education unanimously voted Thissen as the next Superintendent of Schools for USD 489 at the special board meeting held on May 27.

John Thissen is currently serving as Superintendent at USD 487 in Herington, Kansas.

“I am excited and eager to work within the Hays community,” Thissen said.  “My experience with Herington’s community revealed how significant a group of people’s combined foresight and effort placed into the betterment of a service organization can create varied tendrils of growth for a town.”

Thissen has served in the role of Superintendent in Herington since 2007.  He has also served as the Principal of McPherson Middle School, Great Bend Middle School, and Harrison Junior High School.

Thissen also has experience as a college instructor at Barton County Community College and started his career as a 7^th and 8^th grade science teacher and boys and girls basketball and track coach at Herington.

Thissen is married to Kelli Thissen, a physical education teacher and graduate of Fort Hays State University.  The couple have two grown children, Chelsi Myer and Camron Thissen.  Thissen earned his District Administration licensure from Kansas State University and obtained his Building Administration license, Curriculum and Instruction License, and Biology Sciences License from Emporia State University.

Thissen is currently a member of the Herington Civic Club and the Herington Economic Development Committee.  He established the New Life for Teen Parents board in 1991 and has been a coach, YMCA board member, Boy Scout pack leader, and a supporter of his local Chamber of Commerce.

“The comprehensive, yet quick, tours I recently received of the Hays school buildings clearly identified needs, not wants,” Thissen said. “It appears that this June, or in the next couple years, the Hays community will inevitably be financially supporting some kind of facility improvement plan.

“I believe the real challenge will be making sure that those people leading the process will make responsible decisions, resulting in even those not happy with increased taxes saying, in the end, that what was accomplished was good.

“Although current media can create confusion on how much support public education receives, we are within a time of great curriculum offerings and opportunities for students. Hays Schools are positioned to prepare their children for a work world quite different from the one we now reside.

“It is a wonderful venture when a group of people work together in a system with the sole purpose of making children’s lives as promising as possible. I am honored and humbled to be allowed this opportunity to serve the Hays community, and I will be a loyal and committed steward of education.

Board president Lance Bickle said he was pleased that Thissen accepted the position.

“We had many great candidates that we were able speak with but truly felt John was a great match for the district moving forward,” Bickle said. “John really stood out with both the staff as well as the board with his clear vision, genuine desire, and his commitment to lead USD 489. Mr. Thissen brings experience, leadership and a great passion for our students and the community here in Hays.  We are very excited to work with Mr. Thissen as we continue to focus on making USD 489 that best it can be.”

The USD 489 Board of Education selected issen out of four candidates who were interviewed by the board over the last two weeks.