School finance’s state of flux didn’t deter Jeff Kohlman from accepting an offer to become superintendent of the Chase County School District. The advantages of leading a small school district far outweighed the budget and declining enrollment challenges he knows he’ll face.
“I do like small schools. They’re so much more personal,” said Kohlman, who currently is principal of Lyndon Elementary and Middle Schools.
“I like the location (in Chase County). Then, they are in the same league that we’re in and just interacting at different activities with the people there, I’ve always been impressed with the people. That’s kind of what piqued my interest to apply for the position.”
On July 1, Kohlman will take over the superintendent’s job from Greg Markowitz, who is retiring. Markowitz had been superintendent of the Lyndon School District before taking the Chase County job.
Kohlman has 26 years of experience in education since he completed his bachelor’s degree at Emporia State University in 1984.
“My first job was in Reading — physical education and social studies,” he said.
He moved on to teach at Kingman High School, Bern Grade and High School and Arlington Grade School and was an administrator at Lyons Middle School before becoming principal at Lyndon eight years ago; he’s also been head basketball coach for either boys’ or girls’ teams in those schools.
Along the way, he received his master’s degree from Wichita State University in 1997, and his district-level certification through ESU in 2009.
Kohlman enjoys the classroom atmosphere, but appreciates the broader opportunities administrative positions afford to become involved in students’ success.
“I think the thing that I like the most is having a bigger influence on the entire student body and providing them with a great education instead of just having one class or a classroom,” he said. “I think I can have more of an effect on the larger group. I think that’s what I enjoy most.”
Kohlman had decided on a career in education while a student at Canton-Galva High School. He’d been born in North Carolina, during his father’s service in the military, and had moved a lot.
“But Canton was our home base,” Kohlman said, because other family members lived there.
He watched the Canton-Galva teachers encourage and support — even push sometimes — to help students achieve their goals. His goal now is to do the same for other young people
“They molded and shaped me, so I try to do the same thing, to where I will support a kid with whatever dream they have in trying to make sure we can provide that opportunity to reach that dream,” Kohlman said.
Kohlman also likes the opportunities he’ll have to become involved in the Chase County community, and expects to take an interest in city planning and development to help promote the school and the community simultaneously.
In small districts, he said, students, citizens throughout the district come to schools for activities and meetings; larger districts often don’t get the benefit of those interactions.
“I think that’s what’s unique about the small schools,” Kohlman said. “It is the hub of the community.
“I think a lot of people in smaller communities realize now that that’s what’s keeping the communities alive. That’s one of my goals, to not only promote Chase County School District, but Strong City and Cottonwood Falls as great communities to live in.”
Kohlman and his wife, Barb, are looking for housing in Chase County. She is office manager for Pool & Wright in Emporia.
They are the parents of three children. The oldest, Brad, teaches fifth grade at Augusta and is married to Megan, a teacher in the Andover school district; middle child Leah works in the human resources department for the Lawrence Public School System; and Justin, the youngest, is a fifth-grader at Lyndon.