The St. Joseph Board of Education is proud to announce the approval of three promotions:
Shannon Nolte has been appointed to the position of Director of Student Services, replacing Dr. Robert Sigrist who is moving into the role of Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations. Mr. Nolte joined the district in 2020 as the Director of Secondary Education. He began his career in the Cameron R-I School District teaching mathematics and coaching softball, football, baseball, basketball, and track. He served as superintendent for five years prior to coming to SJSD. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics – Secondary Education from Wichita State University, a master’s degree in K-12 Education Leadership and an Education Specialist degree in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University. Nolte has served on leadership committees at the local, regional, and state level including NWMASA Scholarship Committee chair and NW District Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals President and Secretary/Treasurer.
Lara Gilpin will move into the role of Director of Secondary Education. Gilpin currently serves as the Benton High School principal. During her 23-year career with SJSD, she has served as an assistant principal at Truman and Robidoux, middle school principal at Spring Garden, and high school principal at Benton. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education – Physical Education /Health, a master’s in secondary administration, an Education Specialist degree in Superintendency all from Northwest Missouri State University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baker University. In 2017 and 2019, Gilpin was selected Middle School Principal of the Year by the Northwest Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals.
Lynn Davis will move from an assistant administrator role at Benton High School to serving as the school’s principal. Davis has worked at Benton for the past 15 years. She has been an assistant principal for five years and a classroom teacher for 10 years prior. Davis has a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Western State University. She earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and her Education Specialist degree in K-12 Administration. Both advanced degrees are from Northwest Missouri State University. While at Benton, Davis served as Department Chair, a member of the Leadership Team and Curriculum Writing Team. She was chosen as Benton’s teacher of the year candidate, Apple Seed Grant recipient, and was voted Most Influential Teacher in 2014.
All appointees will assume their positions July 1, 2022.