Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent is a finalist for Missouri job

NORFOLK, NE - The Norfolk Public Schools superintendent could be heading to a school district in Missouri.

The Lee's Summit, Missouri R-7 District says Dr. Jami Jo Thompson is one of four finalists for the district's open superintendent position. The school district says the finalists will interview with district and community representatives, as well as the Board of Education next week. The new LSR7 superintendent will be selected on January 23rd and is scheduled to begin on July 1st.

Thompson has served as the Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools since July 2013. She previously served Beatrice Public Schools for eighteen years.

Lee's Summit is about 20 miles southeast of Kansas City.  According to a 2018 U.S. Census estimate, it has about 100,000 people and is the sixth largest city in Missouri.  The school district has an enrollment of about 18,500 students.

The other finalists are Dr. David Buck, superintendent, Wright City School District; Dr. Emily Miller, interim superintendent, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District; Dr. Scott Spurgeon, superintendent, Riverview Gardens School District.

Former LSR7 Superintendent Dr. Dennis Carpenter resigned in July after two years with the district.  In a statement issued by his attorney, Carpenter said he resigned because of, "philosophical differences with members of the board."  TV station WDAF reported morale was low and racial tension was high in the district.