Paula Markey will serve as interim superintendent of the West Prairie School District. The appointment began on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Markey replaces Guy Gradert.
In a release, the district said it has negotiated a new contract with Gradert, who will be on paid administrative leave through the end of June, 2026. The district did not respond to TSPR’s query about how much he will be paid. UPDATE: Gradert will be paid his full salary for the next two school years: nearly $132,000 this year and $137,000 next year.
Board of Education President Scott Vogler said the board will begin a search for a new superintendent. They hope to have that person in place by July 1, 2025.
He declined to say why Gradert was placed on leave.
Markey previously served as the West Central School District superintendent from 2015 to 2022, when she retired.
Since then, she’s served stints as interim principal at West Prairie North Elementary and in Canton.
She has also worked as a consultant for West Prairie.
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