![Meet SMSD's Next Superintendent Dr. Mike Schumacher]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719415193/smsdorg/vrzfxzb4aytns6ucoeos/Schumacher.jp2","width":2076}])
On July 1, Dr. Michael Schumacher, will officially become Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District.
Dr. Schumacher was selected by the Shawnee Mission Board of Education and announced as the district’s next leader in February.
“It will be my focus every day,” Dr. Schumacher noted after the announcement, “to work for and fight for what our students need to succeed in the classroom, and to ensure that our community has the finest public school system in the state, the region and the country."
Dr. Schumacher begins the role days after the Board of Education officially adopted an updated Strategic Plan. He has completed his ninth year in Shawnee Mission, where he has served as associate superintendent of human resources, the assistant director of curriculum and instruction, executive director of secondary human resources, and associate superintendent of human resources.
The fact that Dr. Schumacher has been promoted from within is exciting, shared Amber Pagan, Nieman Elementary School Pre-Kindergarten teacher and NEA-Shawnee Mission Vice President.
“I feel like that gives him an advantage that he is coming in with that knowledge,” she added.
What made him the perfect choice for Superintendent was his character, experience, and knowledge to step into the role, Shawnee Mission South Principal Todd Dain shared.
“He has been a high school principal which is crucial to the role of understanding the work we do every day,” Dain shared. He brings experience from multiple school districts which is valuable when you step into a role in Shawnee Mission. He truly cares about our young people, our staff members, and families and that is such a big part of the puzzle.”
Shawnee Mission North student Alba Sandoval reflected on interacting with him during a visit to her history class.
“He just acted like a normal human being, being up there and chatting away, and helping me with my assignment,” she added. “That just says a lot about him to me.”
Dr. Schumacher will replace outgoing superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard, who announced her retirement in January 2024. Dr. Hubbard and Dr. Schumacher have worked closely together through the remainder of this school year in preparation for the transition and to ensure stable, on-going implementation of the strategic plan.
