After an extensive search under the direction and aid of the Kansas Association of School Boards, the USD 480 Board of Education has been selected Mr. Stephen Linkous as the next Superintendent of Schools for Liberal Unified School District No. 480.
Mr. Linkous was one of two finalists for the position and was selected after both candidates had the opportunity to visit Liberal and meet with staff, administration, community members and the board of education. After deliberating on both candidates, the USD 480 Board of Education made a formal offer to Mr. Linkous for the position of superintendent and he accepted the position and was officially hired by the board on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Mr. Linkous most recently served as Chief of Staff for Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, VA. He has spent his entire 29 year career in the field of education. He has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, school support officer, assistant superintendent, and chief of staff in communities with similar populations to Liberal.
Prior to taking this position in 2022, Mr. Linkous served as Chief of Staff for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools for three years after serving as Assistant Superintendent at Roosevelt School District in Phoenix, AZ.
During his visit to Liberal, Mr. Linkous was able to tour the community and get to know USD 480 staff and community members and he looks forward to the opportunity to expand and build those relationships this summer.
“Meeting and speaking to staff, parents, and community members is always the beginning to building strong relationships,” Linkous said. “These relationships are the key to creating the culture where everyone is on the same page, in word and action, so that all of our students achieve academic excellence.”
Mr. Linkous plans to lean on his professional background; as well as, his personal background as he gets to know the members of the community and familiarizes himself with Liberal.
“As a bilingual Mexican-American, I understand the need for mastery of academic English and the doors that it will open both personally and professionally, while at the same time keeping my Spanish fluent as that is something my family is very proud of and has also opened many doors personally and professionally,” Linkous said.
He knows education is the key to success in life and hopes he can spread that message and promote a strong relationship between the school district and the community.
“Education is my passion because of where I come from,” Linkous said. “My grandparents were migrant workers that traveled the country working the fields and eventually settled in Colorado. My family taught me that hard work and desire can help you achieve the goals you are looking to achieve in life.”
Mr. Linkous feels he can relate to the Liberal community because of his personal and professional background, but also hopes to bring an outside perspective and new strategies to the district, especially when it comes to English language learners.
“My experiences and successes had a basis in the use of research based strategies for second language learners, the enhancement of creation of collaborative environments where we built a common vision and mission,” Linkous said. “I’ve also been able to build leaders at all levels of school districts and assisted them in their professional growth. I plan to do the same with the USD 480 staff.”
Mr. Linkous will be visiting Liberal over the next several months as he and his wife make the transition being full-time members of Liberal. He hopes to begin building strong bonds and lines of communication with the community over the coming months and carrying those into next school year.
“Lastly, I’ve created positive relationships with the community where parents and community members have been empowered to bring ideas and dialogue to improve partnerships that have advanced student achievement,” Linkous said.
Dr. Todd Carter, current USD 480 Superintendent, submitted his notice of retirement to the USD 480 Board of Education in early November, effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year. Mr. Linkous will assume the role of Superintendent of USD 480 beginning July 1, 2024.