The Spring Hill School District announced that it has named a new principal for Spring Hill High School as well as Spring Hill Middle School. Steve Fleer, current principal of Spring Hill Middle School, will step into the role of principal of Spring Hill High School. In addition, Rod Sprague will transition from his role as principal of Spring Hill Intermediate School to serving as principal of Spring Hill Middle School. The U.S.D. 230 Board of Education approved the positions at its April 23rd board meeting. The administrators will begin their new duties as of July 1, 2012.
“We are excited about the opportunity to put into place two administrators who have district experience and will ensure the future successes of Spring Hill High and Middle Schools,” said Dr. Bart Goering, Spring Hill School District superintendent. “As the district continues to grow and change, it is imperative that the district has in place strong leadership that is committed to maintaining small-town values and providing a world-class education.”
Fleer has served as principal of Spring Hill Middle School for the last 23 years. Prior to that, he served as the Spring Hill High School principal (1986-1989) and assistant principal (1977-1986). He began his career in the district as a social studies teacher in 1974. He also coached multiple sports during his tenure, including serving as head basketball coach for nearly 10 years. He received his undergraduate degree in education as well as master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and school administration from the University of Kansas. The opening at Spring Hill High School was due to the retirement of Dr. Angelo Cocolis, which is effective at the end of this school year.
Sprague began his tenure as principal of Spring Hill Intermediate School in the summer of 2010. Previously, Sprague was the principal at Mound Valley Grade School and the director of professional development for Labette County, Kan., U.S.D. 506. Prior to his tenure in the Labette County School District, he was principal of a middle school in the Wichita Public Schools as well as principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Parson, Kan. Sprague’s educational career started as a classroom instructor, teaching 3rd through 5th grades. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Wichita State University, his ESL Endorsement from Kansas State University, and a Master’s Degree in school leadership from Friends University.
The search to fill the principal position left vacant at Spring Hill Intermediate School will begin immediately. The candidate chosen will serve for one year as principal for the Intermediate School before taking over as principal for Spring Hill Elementary School, which will be reconfigured to a preschool-grade 5 facility in the fall of 2013. The reconfiguration coincides with the opening of the district’s newest elementary school and the opening of the new 6th Grade Center, which currently houses the Intermediate School.