Thompson School District approves four administrator hires, including assistant superintendent role

Thompson School District R‑2J on June 18 approved personnel recommendations that formalized four administrative hires the district introduced earlier in the meeting.

The board confirmed the district’s recommendations to appoint Nicole Jones as assistant principal at High Plains School; Jacob McCollum as assistant principal at Walt Clark Middle School; Valerie Lara Black as director of human resources; and Sarah Rasmussen as assistant superintendent of learning services (removing the interim designation). The personnel approvals were included on the consent agenda and approved by roll call.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Schaeffer introduced each candidate briefly at the start of the meeting and invited them to address the board. The district highlighted each administrator’s background in classroom and building leadership: Jones’s experience in elementary and middle grades and work on MTSS and restorative practices; McCollum’s middle‑school classroom and administrative leadership, including socioemotional program development; Lara Black’s principal experience developing a new preK–8 campus and prior leadership roles; and Rasmussen’s district leadership experience in elementary education and early childhood services.

Each appointee spoke briefly, thanking the board and saying they looked forward to joining their respective schools or continuing district leadership. Staff said the formal approvals were part of the meeting’s consent items and will be reflected in personnel records and public posting of consent outcomes.