On January 11th, Shawnee Mission School District superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard announced her resignation. Hubbard plans to retire after 33 years of working as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and a superintendent.

“It is with mixed emotions, I plan to retire June 30, 2024. I am grateful for my 33 years in education! So proud I have been able to serve two amazing communities and so many great kids. Not counting days, rather I plan to make the days count,” Hubbard said on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Hubbard has served as the SMSD superintendent since July 1st, 2021, and was named the 2024 Kansas Superintendent of the Year by the Kansas Superintendent Association.

Over the coming weeks, the SMSD Board of Education plans to contract with a consultant to search for superintendent candidates within the SMSD community. 

“We are confident that we have qualified internal candidates to serve as the next superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District,” Board of Education president Dr. Mary Sinclair said in an email to SMSD staff. 

The Board of Education plans to hire a new superintendent in early to mid February. 

“ has led with wisdom and distinction,” Sinclair said, “touching the lives of countless students in Shawnee Mission and across Kansas.”