Scott City superintendent to retire next year

Scott City superintendent Diann Ulmer plans to retire at the end of this school year, having spent her entire professional life -- including her student teaching days -- with the district.

But even as the district starts the process to find a new school chief -- hoping to select one by January -- Ulmer is still focused on her day-to-day duties of overseeing 106 employees and 818 students.

"I love this place. It's a great place," Ulmer said.

An Advance, Missouri, High School graduate, Ulmer was one of six children growing up on a grain farm.

"Our parents always pushed us," she said. "They did very well as farmers, but they always wanted us to get an education and go as far as we could."

Ulmer earned a bachelor's degree in math, a master's in secondary administration and a specialist designation in educational administration, all from Southeast Missouri State University. She will be completing her 28th year in Scott City -- 10 years as a high school math teacher, five as middle school principal and 13 as superintendent -- before stepping down.

Along with her district duties, she teaches a class in intermediate algebra for Three Rivers College via interactive TV.

Having been in Scott City for so long, she has gotten to know the community well, enjoying being around the children and their families.

"Students that I used to have in my math classes as a teacher are now parents themselves, and I get to see them often as they come out for school events with their children," Ulmer said. "I really enjoy seeing their return, as well as seeing the parents of those math students come out to 'Grandparents Days.' It's the circle of life."

Highlights of her tenure in Scott City include watching the new performing arts theater/Federal Emergency Management Agency safe room take shape; having her district's annual performance reports, issued by the state, reach 91.4 percent for three years running; and having her three children graduate from Scott City schools, she said.

"And I know they got a good education while they were here," Ulmer said.

The theater/storm shelter was four years in the making with the FEMA grant application being submitted four years ago and groundbreaking in June. The district didn't get its FEMA notice to proceed with bids until June 2013, by which time building costs had risen.

The project was put on hold while the district requested additional funding from FEMA for items such as walls, floors, generators, the foundation and some electrical work and plumbing. Ground was broken in June.

"That's been really exciting to see that come to pass," Ulmer said.

Ulmer also was involved in re-lighting the football field and was on hand for two of the district's first state championships -- baseball in 2008 and volleyball in 2009.

When she leaves at the end of the year, Ulmer said she'll have time to pursue other activities, such as repurposing and refinishing furniture, doing yard work and getting back to playing the organ at church. "I've got lots of different interests, so I don't think I'll get bored," she said.

Sad to see her go

Those who work with Ulmer say they are sad to see her go.

" ... She's done such a great job for the 13 years that she's been the superintendent," school board president Beth Cox said. " ... It's great that she stayed here and raised her family here. We're going to be sad to see her go, but she's left a wonderful legacy for us."

Scott City High School principal Mike Johnson said Ulmer has led a productive, progressive and forward-thinking administrative team during his six-plus years in his job. He also said he's amazed at the breadth of topics Ulmer can discuss -- from the budget to plumbing lines.

Because Ulmer has worked with the district's principals for many years, they've become a true unit.

"It is disappointing to change the chemistry of a team that works so well together. We all know each other so well that most of the time it doesn't even seem like work when we are together," Johnson said in an email.

"The most important thing she has taught me is how to always look at the big picture, to focus on how a decision affects every student in my building, and sometimes how it affects every student kindergarten through seniors, as well," Johnson said. "She has championed a balance and focus on all areas of the school system such as academics, clubs/activities, and sports."

Courtney Kern, who has been the elementary school principal for 12 years, said she has appreciated Ulmer's guidance and support during some challenging times.

"As one of the few female superintendents in the area, during challenging educational times, I admire that Mrs. Ulmer has been able to balance motherhood and raising her family while holding a position that takes a lot of stamina and fortitude," Kern wrote in an email.

Kern said she will miss the administrative team's calm in the midst of crisis -- from student to weather-related emergencies.

"It's during those times that egos are set aside, our focus becomes clear, and we work quickly together to get the job done," Kern wrote. "There's a confidence and comfort that comes from knowing the strengths of your team members. There will be a transition period for the administrative team next year as everyone adjusts to a new team dynamic."

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St., Scott City, Mo.

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Dates for the Scott City superintendent search

• Application deadline for the Scott City superintendent position is Nov. 14.
• Screening will begin the week of Nov. 17 with interviews tentatively set for the week of Dec. 8 thorough 12.
• The salary is commensurate with experience and will fit into the district*'s salary schedule.
• A Missouri superintendent*'s certificate is required and an initial two-year contract will be offered.
• Applications are available at scschools.k12.mo.us/districtinfo/jobopportunities. A flier can be viewed at scschools.k12.mo.us/files/featured/14-15/suptopening.pdf.
• Anticipated hiring date is January with the contract starting July 1.
• School board president Beth Cox said the position has been posted on various websites and the job also is being advertised to school districts in the state. *"We hope we get some really good candidates,*" she said.
• Superintendent Diann Ulmer, who is stepping down at the end of this school year, said her class at Advance High School produced a number of future school chiefs who served in locations such as Advance, Bloomfield and Fredericktown, Missouri. State Rep. Steve Cookson also was an Advance graduate and former superintendent.

Sources: scschools.k12.mo.us, superintendent Diann Ulmer and board president Beth Cox