2008: Harriet Wolfe named new superintendent

Many school district leaders changed roles in 2008, both in Sedalia and elsewhere.

Sedalia School District 200 Superintendent Doug Ebersold resigned June 3 after four years as the district’s leader and a total of 10 years in Sedalia schools.

Ebersold left the district to become dean of education at William Woods University in Fulton.

Ebersold’s resignation touched off a series of job changes in the district.

School board President Jeff Sharp said leadership changes always cause concern, but “it’s been a fairly seamless transition.”

Harriet Wolfe, who had been assistant superintendent in charge of buildings and facilities and finance, took over the top spot July 1.

“I think that’s gone very well. Dr. Wolfe has taken the helm quite well and I’m very pleased with her performance,” Sharp said.

She was replaced as assistant superintendent by Nancy Scott, former director of special services and federal programs.

Scott has been with the district for five years.

Scott’s position was filled by Julie Dill, former principal of Horace Mann Elementary.

William Betteridge, former elementary principal in Pilot Grove and former teacher at Whittier High School and Skyline Elementary School, became the new principal of Horace Mann Elementary School.

There were also leadership changes at Smith-Cotton High School and Sedalia Middle School in preparation for the move to the new high school next year.

Sedalia Middle School Principal Martin White was named principal of Smith-Cotton High School in February.

Sedalia Middle School Assistant Principal Steve Triplett moved to assistant principal at the high school, while former Sedalia Middle School Assistant Principal Sara Pannier moved up to principal of the middle school.

White will remain principal when the new high school opens, while Triplett will become principal of the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade building. Pannier will then become principal of the fifth- and sixth-grade building.

Former Smith-Cotton principal Todd Whitney became assistant principal at the middle school.

“Everyone who’s filled leadership positions is very experienced,” Sharp said.

Sedalia also elected a new school board member. Michael Stees replaced Jim Waldo, who left the board after serving two three-year terms.

Sedalia was not the only district to change leadership last year.

Northwest, Otterville, Marshall, Smithton and Dresden schools all experienced changes in leadership.

Charlie Price, former superintendent of the Sarcoxie School District, replaced Northwest Superintendent Amy Fagg, who asked to be released from her contract to spend more time with her young family.

In Otterville, Superintendent Rhonda M. Meyer, who has been with the district for 25 years, retired. Pilot Grove High School Principal Mike Scott replaced Meyer.

Otterville High School Principal Jean Carton left to head Nowlin Middle School, in Independence. Sedalia Middle School teacher Darci McFail became Otterville principal.

The Marshall Board of Education fired Superintendent Robert Gordon, amid charges of incompetence, in January.

In Smithton, Chris Pyle, assistant principal and athletic director, left to become an assistant principal at Sedalia Middle School, and High School Principal Barbara Bancroft left to become superintendent of the Prairie Home School District.