HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last night was the last meeting for USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Gary Price. His last day as superintendent is Tuesday.

Price has been the superintendent for two years. He replaced Dr. Shelly Kiblinger who took a job in the Cherryvale school district. Price was taken on in the short term until a new superintendent could be found. Price was also superintendent for USD 308 from 1995 until 2000. Mike Folks takes over July 1.

Price says it has been a solid two years and reflected on his second stint as USD 308 superintendent. “I think we have accomplished some good things, I think we are on good financial footing. I’m pleased with the leadership changes at the school building level,” Price said. “I’ve just had a pretty good time the last two years and feel very fortunate and blessed to have been here.”

Price says he is confident the transition to the new superintendent will be a smooth one. “Mike Folks and I have been meeting, in fact, we met for three days together this last week,” Price added. “We’re both working to make this transition as seamless as possible,” Price stated. “Of course with the rest of the staff . . . the superintendent won’t make too much difference immediately. He’ll start putting his stamp on it later.”

Price has been around education for many years and continued to stress the need to not only give children an education but teach life skills as well. “People don’t communicate as well one-on-one because we’re all hooked into our phone,” Price said. “Some of our young people have a hard time just relating and communicating.” Price says just teaching the facts of reading and math and such aren’t going to be enough in school anymore, and more needs to be done to teach critical thinking and life skills.

You will see Price around. He plans to stay active and will still be living in Hutchinson.