By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Greg Clark grew up in Great Bend and served the last eight years as the Central Plains USD 112 Superintendent of Schools, overseeing the schools in Claflin, Wilson and Holyrood.
Clark stated leaving his hometown area was not an
easy decision, but ultimately decided to accept the superintendent’s position
for the Osawatomie school district.
"Osawatomie will be a little bigger of a district," said Clark. "My responsibilities will still be as a superintendent, but I will have a lot more people help me in that job where I'm going. I've enjoyed my time at Central Plains, but am looking for new challenges."
The school board in Osawatomie voted to hire Clark at the end of May and he will
begin working with USD 367 starting July 1.
Clark departs the Central Plains district at a time when the school board voted in April
to move all Wilson Junior/Senior High School students to Claflin to attend
Central Plains High School by the 2023-2024 school year. The move is
anticipated to help with staffing shortages and provide more opportunities to
students after Wilson’s enrollment has dipped.
"Wilson, I believe, is actively looking at joining the Sylvan-Lucas school district, which is fine because it's a little better fit for them," said Clark. "There are going to be challenges, like any rural school district, with enrollment and keeping families around the area to keep our schools full."
Clark begins his career as a teacher, spent eight years as a principal and the
last eight years as Central Plains’ superintendent.
"Maybe it's time for some new eyes on the district," said Clark. "They can get somebody in here that will love it as much as I have."