District Leadership
Superintendent Dr. Craig Correll
Recently named the Kansas Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Correll’s commitment to the students of Coffeyville has been evidenced by the countless relationships created between Coffeyville Public Schools and area businesses and organizations. Partnering with other advocates of early childhood education, he helped form the Coffeyville Coalition for Early Education. This 501c3 was responsible for raising funds to expand the Dr. Jerry Hamm Early Learning Center, raising just over $2m. This is a premier learning center and has been recognized by both the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Association of School Boards as a model for the state. The center has also been featured in Kansas Child magazine.
Utilizing the transition period between assistant superintendent and superintendent, Dr. Correll hit the ground running beginning a new strategic plan for the school district. Collaboration occurred between nearly 100 community members, consisting of educators, students, parents, city commissioners and business leaders. This plan focused on three areas; developing a marketing and communication plan to increase parent and community perception and engagement, increasing math scores by emphasizing student engagement, and implementing a plan to address facility needs throughout the district.
In February 2017, State of Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson announced to a local group of citizens that between the years of 2010-2016 the number of Coffeyville High School graduates enrolling in post- secondary education had risen from 14%-67%. This was the largest gain of any school district in Kansas.
Due in part to many of the community partnerships established by Dr. Correll, he was awarded the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce distinction as Citizen of the Year in 2016.
To ensure the continued success of Coffeyville Public Schools, Dr. Correll has embarked on another collaborative partnership. The Community Advisory Partners is a group of local business leaders tasked with revisiting what is offered in our secondary schools in order to focus on careers, increase graduation rates and guarantee our student’s post-secondary success. Under the guidance of Dr. Correll, the secondary schools have reduced behavior referrals by over 60% while increasing attendance rates by over 40%. Graduation rates have also risen during this time.
Dr. Correll has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in building leadership from Pittsburg State University and a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pittsburg State University. Dr. Correll has also taught as an adjunct professor at Pittsburg State University, Newman University and the University of Kansas. He has also served as a board trustee on a local community college and currently serves as a board trustee for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.