BY: SHERMAN SMITH
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson announced Wednesday he plans to retire from the position he has held since 2014.
Watson said he will remain in the position until the Kansas State Board of Education hires a new commissioner.
“For 10 years, it’s been my pleasure to serve the board,” Watson said in a news release following Wednesday’s board meeting, where he made the announcement. “They’ve done remarkable work and have had many accomplishments over that time. I’m proud to have been a small part of that.”
Board chair Cathy Hopkins praised Watson for bringing stability to the board.
“He’s always asking, ‘How can I make this board function on behalf of Kansas education as its best possible peak?’ He exemplifies that so well,” Hopkins said.
The news release said Watson helped lead initiatives to improve literacy, strengthen the accreditation system for K-12 schools, and redesign schools to meet student needs and create stronger pathways for post-graduation success. He also visited all 286 school districts multiple times during his time as commissioner, the news release said.
Watson received widespread attention in 2022 for making insensitive comments about American Indians during an online education conference. The board suspended him for a month without pay, and he apologized for the remarks.
Before he was named education commissioner, Watson was the superintendent for McPherson public schools. His also has experience as a teacher, principal and coach.
The Coffeyville native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a doctorate from Kansas State University.