Ozark Schools Name Interim Superintendent to Full-Time Position

The person who has led the Ozark School District on an interim basis will now do so on a permanent basis.

Dr. Lori Wilson had been the interim Superintendent of Schools after the retirement of Dr. Chris Bauman late last Spring. Wilson had returned to the Ozark School District in 2022 after being with the district in 2009. She had administrative positions in two other school districts before going to West Plains as Superintendent in 2018 prior to her return to Ozark in 2022 assistant Superintendent of Business and Chief Financial Officer.

The full release from the Ozark School District is below:

After leading the District as interim superintendent for the first half of the school year, Dr. Lori Wilson will now officially lead the Ozark School District as superintendent. The Ozark Board of Education chose Wilson during a special closed-session meeting on the evening of Dec. 13 following a day of in-person formal interviews with three finalists. The vote was unanimous.

“I believe that selecting a new superintendent is not just about finding a leader; it's about identifying a visionary who will inspire, empower and uplift our educational community,” Ozark Board President Sarah Adams Orr said. “Dr. Wilson’s passion for education, proven leadership and commitment to student achievement align seamlessly with our vision for the future of our schools and our mission of providing ‘high-quality education for each student’s future-readiness.’"

Wilson has been serving as interim superintendent this school year after Dr. Chris Bauman announced his retirement late last spring. Wilson, who has 24 years in education, began her administrative career in 2009 as Ozark High School assistant principal, she went on to serve as the Nixa Junior High principal, Aurora Schools assistant superintendent and as the West Plains School District superintendent since 2018. She returned to Ozark in 2022 as the assistant superintendent of business and chief financial officer.

Wilson said she is extremely honored to be named superintendent of Ozark School District.

“I am incredibly excited to work collaboratively with such a talented, dedicated staff, an active community, and families to inspire and support all students,” she said. “I am truly dedicated to the mission of the District, and I will apply myself diligently to earn the trust and respect of each and every one of you. We will build upon the existing foundation to maintain safe and innovative learning environments, increase the achievement levels of all students, expand the knowledge base of all staff, and ensure members of our community are lifelong learners and problem solvers each and every day.”

Wilson obtained a bachelor's degree in business and accounting and a teaching certificate from College of the Ozarks, a master’s degree in business administration from Drury University, a master’s degree in secondary administration from William Woods University, a specialist’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate of education in education leadership both from Southwest Baptist University. 

Orr said the Board of Education believes Wilson is the ideal candidate to lead Ozark School District into the future, fostering innovation, inclusivity and excellence in education. Her passion for student success and her proven track record in educational leadership make her well-suited to guide the District toward continued growth and achievement.

The Board agreed to remove the current title of interim and appointed Wilson as the superintendent for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year; The official contract will begin July 1, 2024, with a salary of $200,000.

In August, the Board of Education contracted with the Missouri School Boards’ Association to facilitate the District’s superintendent search. That search included a stakeholder survey and resulted in 23 applicants. The board thanks the stakeholders in the community and District for input throughout the hiring process and is excited to work with Wilson to move the District forward.