Wichita native appointed as new school superintendent

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Wichita schools will soon be led by a woman who grew up attending the city’s public schools.

The Wichita School Board voted Tuesday to appoint Alicia Thompson as the next superintendent of the state’s largest school district.

If her contract is approved Monday, Thompson would replace John Allison, who is leaving in June to become superintendent of Olathe schools. She would take over the job July 1.

The Wichita Eagle reports (https://bit.ly/2lkw17M ) the 47-year-old Thompson currently is assistant superintendent for elementary schools in Wichita. She began her education career in 1992 as a third-grade teacher in Wichita and served in several other positions.

If her contract is approved, Thompson would be Wichita’s first female and first black superintendent.

___

Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, https://www.kansas.com