by Mary Wilson
“The Grandview School District is one of the metro’s best
kept secrets.” It’s a saying that Grandview C-4’s new superintendent has heard
time and again since he was hired by the district in 2014. And it’s a rumor
that Kenny Rodrequez would like to see disappear.
“I’d like to see that tune changed,” said Rodrequez. “I feel
as though the districts surrounding Grandview have it figured out; they
understand. There are some great schools, and while I’ll never be in a position
to pit one against the other, we can make it to where we focus on the positives
and not just the negative.”
One of his priorities going into his new position will be to
better communicate with the community, parents, teachers, staff and students
the good news happening in Grandview’s schools. Rodrequez plans to work on
presenting a message that dispels any negative connotations the district has
received in the past.
“Several years ago, I know the high school had an extremely
negative perception in the community,” said Rodrequez. “I feel that’s at least
somewhat changed, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
He added that with the positive changes in the City of
Grandview, along with growing test scores and student achievement in the
district, the community as a whole is moving in the right direction. He
anticipates meeting with local elected officials and other community
stakeholders on a regular basis to ensure the message being stated is cohesive
and positive in nature.
Rodrequez brought 20 years of experience in education with
him to Grandview. His first teaching job was in Carl Junction, just outside of
Joplin, where he was a music teacher and band director for three years. After
his daughter was born, he and his wife wanted to be closer to family, so they
moved to the Tulsa area.
He spent three years as a band director in Sapulpa,
Oklahoma, a district Rodrequez said is similar in size and demographics to
Grandview. Moving up, Rodrequez then went to work for Tulsa Public Schools as a
resource music teacher. The large district consisted of 40,000 students in nine
high schools, 15 middle schools and 60 elementary schools. He also managed to
complete his Master’s Degree in administration during that time, and continued
to move up the ladder as an assistant principal, principal, and director of
secondary schools.
After 12 years with Tulsa, Rodrequez came to Kansas City
Missouri Public Schools as a director for secondary schools. It was there that
he worked with Dr. Tony Stansberry, former Grandview superintendent who now
works with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. While
seeking a position as an assistant superintendent, he was advised by Stansberry
that Grandview was a great district.
Since being hired, Rodrequez has served as Assistant
Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Grandview, and upon current
Superintendent Dr. Ralph Teran’s retirement at the end of this month, will
assume his new role on July 1.
For the first time since Stansberry was in Grandview, the
district will have a superintendent with children in the district. Rodrequez
and his wife have two children: a daughter who will attend Grandview High
School and a son who will attend Martin City Middle School. This will also be a
first for Rodrequez, as he has not previously worked in the same district his
children attended.
“It will be different to have them here,” said Rodrequez.
“It’s going to be something that we’ll all have to get used to as a family, but
I think it will be a positive experience for us as well.”
Rodrequez expects his transition into his new role to be
fairly seamless. Having been in the district for two years now, he has gotten
to know the personalities and work habits of those he will now supervise.
“We have a great team in place, and I look forward to seeing
us take everything we have accomplished thus far to the next level,” said
Rodrequez.
In August, before the beginning of the next school year,
Rodrequez will address teachers and staff at district orientation as
Superintendent of the Grandview School District.
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Round of applause for Kenny Rodriquez. I know, I know, I know, it's a square but it was the best I could do and that is assuming it stays in a square.😉