SJSD Staff,
The St. Joseph Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the next leader of the district in a Special Executive Session on April 4, 2022.
Dr. Gabe Edgar, currently the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations for the St. Joseph School District, will take the reins of superintendent on July 1, 2022.
Edgar will replace Dr. Doug Van Zyl who is moving to his home state of Minnesota to lead the Lakeville Area Schools.
“The Board has chosen to promote from within because we are convinced that there is not a better candidate to fill this position for the St. Joseph School District than
Dr. Edgar,” said Tami Pasley, School Board President.
Prior to joining SJSD, Edgar served as Superintendent of Marceline R-V for 11 years and oversaw the passage of two successful bond issues during his tenure. He has also served as a secondary principal, business teacher and coach in the Marceline district. Since 2006, Edgar has been an adjunct professor for William Woods University, teaching graduate level courses.
Edgar received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, an Ed.S. in Administration, and his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from William Woods University. He received his B.S. in Business Education from Missouri State University.
Edgar has served on a number of local, regional, and state boards and committees. Currently, he is a member of the Southside Rotary, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee and board member of the St. Joseph Land Bank and St. Joseph Youth Alliance. He is also a member of the Missouri Association of School Business Officials (MoASBO).
“Over the last four years, Dr. Edgar has proven himself extremely valuable to the district as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations. The district is in a far better place because of his leadership and expertise in those areas. We are excited about the expertise that he will now be able to bring to academics. He understands the importance of building relationships, and over the years has formed many positive relationships with staff and community members,” stated Pasley.
Edgar has been married to his wife Becky for 25 years and they have three children – Andrew, a project engineer for McCownGordon (Healthcare division); Maycee, a junior at Central Missouri State majoring in kinesiology with plans to become an athletic trainer; and Kennedy, a high school senior who will graduate in May and attend North Central Missouri College in the fall majoring in nursing.
Edgar enjoys outdoor activities such as playing golf and duck hunting. Volunteering is important to him as a way to give back to the community.
Click here to view a special video message from Tami Paisley and Dr. Edgar.
Attached you can find
Dr. Edgar’s full biography and a
statement from the Board of Education.
Thank you,
St. Joseph School District