From The Superintendent's Desk

July 07, 2016

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It feels good to finally get moved to Troy and to begin getting settled in as your next superintendent of schools and Troy Elementary School Principal.  I know I have very big shoes to fill, as your former superintendent, Brian Harris, left the district in great shape.  I have known Brian personally and professionally for many years, and he is not only a great school administrator, but a great person.  I am certain Troy Schools benefited from his leadership.

I have moved from Seneca, KS where I had served as the high school principal the past fifteen years.  Thirteen of those as the Nemaha Valley High School Principal and the last two as the principal of Nemaha Central High School.  I am looking forward to begin my work in Troy and getting to know the students, staff, parents, and community members. 

There has been a lot of work taking place in the buildings and the facilities as your board of education committed to a few capital improvement projects.  We were able to begin replacing carpet in much needed areas.  The building’s main offices, the high school counselor’s office, and four classrooms at the grade school received new carpet.  We also had some tile replaced in the kitchen and gym area.  This was needed and will allow us to continue to replace worn areas in the coming years.

You might have seen asphalt paving equipment at the track.  The track will receive an overlay and will also have some dirt work around the corners completed.  This was a major project but should result in a smooth running and walking surface for all those students and community members who choose to use it. 

Concrete steps were replaced at the football field and the front of the elementary building.  Concrete work was also completed at the middle school and elementary school.  All were areas that needed repair and have definitely cleaned up the looks of the buildings in those areas. 

The custodial staff of Brian Clary, Sharon Handley, Rick Simmons, Kathy Smith, Laura Winkel along with summer helpers Connor McNorton and Tucker Morris have been busy cleaning, painting, scrubbing, and fixing all the rooms and areas so we are ready to go in late August.  Please tell them thanks if you see them as they sometimes do not get the credit they deserve getting the buildings ready for nine more months of 360 students. 

Please stop by the district office and introduce yourself.  I will be trying to meet people in the community and introduce myself to the students when I see them around.  I am proud to be serving as your superintendent of schools and will work hard to help all our kids reach their fullest potential. 

Even though I do not “tweet” a lot, you can follow me on twitter at @_pmckernan.   I do like to send out information about our schools and the accomplishments of our students.  Watch this web page also as we will try to keep you updated on various activities and events taking place in and around the school district.  Until next time….

Patrick E. McKernan

Superintendent/Elementary Principal

Troy Schools