Republic School District Families,

We come to you this afternoon with not only well wishes for a safe and happy winter break, but with an announcement. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chance Wistrom announced his retirement from public education effective June 30, 2020 at the December 19 Board of Education meeting. Dr. Wistrom has served our community in this role for eight years. He put together a video to share with you, our community members, about this decision and next steps for himself and our district. Click the image to the right to view this message.

As indicated in the video, current Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matt Pearce was hired as the new Republic School District Superintendent of Schools beginning July 1, 2020. This motion was passed at the December 19 Board of Education meeting as well. The Board of Education made this decision after reviewing the leadership succession plan that the district has developed and maintained since 2017.

Dr. Pearce has served as the Assistant Superintendent for the Republic School District since 2013, and oversees academic services for preschool through 12th grade as well as special education, federal programs, curriculum and technology.

Before joining the team at Republic, Dr. Pearce spent seven years as a secondary schools principal and four years as an assistant principal. He also spent five years as a high school teacher. Dr. Pearce earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri. He and his wife, Yvette, have three children. Logan, a 2016 graduate of RHS; Emma, a current senior and Audrey, a 4th grader at Price Elementary.

 

When asked about Dr. Pearce leading the district beginning next school year, Dr. Wistrom indicated, "Dr. Pearce is the finest leader and person with whom I have had the privilege of serving. Dr. Pearce is responsible for much of the success we have experienced as a district and I am confident that he will continue to lead RepMO to new and greater heights. There is not a leader out there who is more capable of serving our district while truly caring about the wellbeing of each RepMO student and teammate. Essentially, he has been preparing for this role the past seven years, and is already considered an educational leader in our state. ”

Please join us in wishing Dr. Wistrom well, and also congratulating and welcoming Dr. Pearce into his new role as Superintendent of Schools starting in July!