[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2116-E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO OLATHE, KANSAS, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT RON WIMMER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, last week Dr. Ron Wimmer, who has served the 
students and parents of the Olathe, Kansas, school district for over 
forty years--during the last fourteen years as Superintendent of 
Schools--announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2005. He has been 
one of the primary catalysts of the Olathe school district's commitment 
to excellence, and his retirement will be mourned by all citizens of 
that community. I am pleased to take this opportunity to pay tribute to 
Dr. Wimmer's forty years of service to the Olathe school district by 
placing in the Congressional Record two articles summarizing his 
achievements that appeared recently in the Olathe Daily News.

                 [From the Olathe News, Nov. 10, 2004]

            Wimmer's Retirement Surprises Many in Community

                           (By Kevin Selders)

       Ron Wimmer's announcement he's retiring at the end of the 
     school year came as a surprise to many in the Olathe 
     community and beyond.
       Wimmer, who has spent his entire 40-year career in 
     education in the Olathe district, made the announcement 
     public Tuesday after submitting his notice of retirement to 
     Olathe school board president Debby Daniels Oct. 17 and 
     notifying district staff Monday.
       An e-mail was sent notifying others of his decision Monday 
     evening.
       ``Clearly it's disappointing for the school district, but 
     he has provided us with 40 years of service to the school 
     district and the community, so it's hard to argue with him 
     when he's ready to retire,'' Daniels said. Daniels said the 
     news wasn't released sooner because of the election.
       ``We didn't want a discussion of Dr. Wimmer's retirement to 
     influence the voters' decision on the school board (issue) 
     one way or the other,'' she said. Wimmer discussed his 
     retirement individually with board members in the days 
     leading up to last week's board meeting.
       Daniels said Wimmer brought up the timing of his 
     announcement during the board's executive session after its 
     meeting on Thursday. The board also discussed when it should 
     get started on the search for the next superintendent, which 
     is considered a personnel issue.
       Andy Tompkins, commissioner of education for the Kansas 
     State Department of Education, received the news of Wimmer's 
     announcement during the middle of a Kansas State Board of 
     Education meeting.
       Tompkins, who said he's known Wimmer for at least 25 years, 
     said the superintendent's retirement will be a great loss for 
     the district. He said Wimmer is a man of high integrity and 
     the purest motives who has always worked for the best 
     interest of children.
       ``You're not going to find a bigger fan of Ron Wimmer than 
     me,'' he said. ``I just think he's as good as they come. I 
     have the highest regard for him.''
       Michael Copeland, mayor of Olathe, said Wimmer has led the 
     school district to become one of the best in the nation. This 
     achievement has, in turn, benefited Olathe in many ways.
       ``Olathe is one of America's fastest-growing cities for 
     many reasons, but none more important than our excellent 
     schools,'' Copeland said. ``Ron Wimmer deserves much of that 
     credit. He will be missed, but he's leaving the district in 
     great shape. His commitment and dedication to excellence in 
     Olathe, and in particular our children, cannot be 
     understated. He means a great deal to our community.''
       Frank Taylor, president of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce 
     who served on the school board for 16 years, said Wimmer has 
     been instrumental to Olathe's success as a city.
       ``Olathe possesses a jewel that sets it apart,'' he said. 
     ``It is a nationally acclaimed school district that uniquely 
     equips Olathe children for life and draws business and 
     industry to Olathe so effectively that we are one of the 
     fastest-growing communities in the nation. That is Dr. Ron 
     Wimmer's gift to this community.''
       Diana Wright, a psychologist for the district and former 
     student of Wimmer's, sent him an e-mail Tuesday morning. She 
     said Wimmer was her principal when she was a seventh-grader 
     in 1975.
       ``I remember you as the warm-hearted, friendly principal 
     who always had a smile on his face,'' she wrote. ``Now as an 
     adult I wanted to let you know what a wonderful impression 
     you made on me as a student.''
       She went on to tell him how although she was a good student 
     for the most part, she was overwhelmed with authority 
     figures. She said every time she walked by her principal she 
     tried to hide her eyes. ``You always went out of your way to 
     say hello and greet me in a warm manner,'' she said. ``It 
     always made me feel like I was special. I'm sure that is how 
     you made all your kids feel.''
       Betty Carpenter, Wimmer's secretary since he moved to the 
     education center in 1978 as director of personnel for the 
     district, said things are going to be a lot different next 
     year.
       She said the next superintendent will have some big shoes 
     to fill.
       ``He set a lot of good foundations for the future to build 
     on,'' she said. Carpenter said she could retire as well, but 
     has no plans to just yet.
       ``I love my job,'' she said. ``Part of that is because of 
     the boss, too.''

                 [From the Olathe News, Nov. 10, 2004]

                  Wimmer Retires After 40-Year Career

                           (By Kevin Selders)

       As Ron Wimmer, superintendent of the Olathe school 
     district, sat among spectators cheering on Olathe football 
     teams Friday, he realized he knew something nobody else 
     around him knew.
       Wimmer, 61, decided to let everyone in on his secret 
     Tuesday as he publicly announced his retirement, effective 
     July 1, 2005.
       The announcement comes midway through his 40th year in the 
     district and 14th year as its leader.
       ``Today I'm very excited and pleased with the response I've 
     received from the staff,'' he said. ``I've had so many 
     touching e-mails from people that I've come in contact with 
     over the last 40 years.''
       Wimmer denied his decision had anything to do with the 
     recent decision made by voters to change the method of 
     electing school board members.
       ``I've thought about it for months,'' he said about his 
     retirement. ``I had so many sleepless nights. It just was a 
     tremendous worry for me.''
       However, he said making the decision and notifying district 
     staff and others Monday brought him peace.
       ``Last night was the first in many nights where I just 
     slept all the way through,'' he said.
       ``Each step has been difficult,'' he added. ``There's just 
     so much commitment that I've had over 40 years. It's hard to 
     believe that I'm at this point, but I feel very good about 
     this decision. I feel it's the right thing to do at the right 
     time.''
       Wimmer submitted his notice of retirement to Debby Daniels, 
     president of the Olathe school board, Oct. 17.
       Wimmer, who was eligible for retirement eight years ago, 
     felt compelled to stay on as superintendent because of 
     continued challenges the district faced, primarily in dealing 
     with its growth.
       ``There was always some major project,'' he said.

[[Page E2117]]

       He added that he's ready to finish out the rest of the 
     school year.
       ``I'm still very motivated by what I do every day and I 
     feel very good about that,'' he said. ``I always wanted to 
     retire before I felt the need to retire.''


                              LOOKING BACK

       Wimmer's earliest career move actually saw him leaving his 
     own education under difficult circumstances.
       As a junior in high school, Wimmer was expelled during the 
     middle of his junior year, forcing him to move away from home 
     to live with relatives and change schools. Because of the 
     move, he lost his car and his girlfriend.
       ``That was a rough time,'' he said. ``The good thing that 
     came out of that was I got a new girlfriend and eventually 
     got my car back and I didn't get into anymore trouble again.
       ``You could say I learned my lesson . . . and I'm still 
     married to the same girl today after 43 years.''
       Wimmer said he's tried to use the experience for positive 
     purposes in the school district.
       One of these purposes was the development of the district's 
     alternative-education program in 1972. Often after finishing 
     his daytime duties, Wimmer would work with students in the 
     night program.
       He said he's always used his own experiences to motivate 
     students who find themselves in a similar situation.
       ``That doesn't necessarily indicate they cannot go on from 
     there and be successful,'' he said.
       Wimmer said the key to any success in his career comes down 
     to one thing--his education.
       ``My education is what opened the doors for those 
     opportunities,'' he said.
       Wimmer started his career with the district the same year 
     Olathe Unified School District No. 233 was born. The district 
     was formed in 1965 when five school districts--Countryside 
     School District 103, Meadowlane School District 108, Mount 
     Zion School District 105, Olathe School District 16 and 
     Pleasant View School District 96--merged. After graduating 
     from Pittsburg State University in 1965, Wimmer started 
     teaching Spanish at Olathe Junior High School in downtown 
     Olathe, where Millcreek Center now is.
       He moved on to Santa Fe Trail Junior High School when it 
     opened a few years later.
       He received his master's degree in educational 
     administration and curriculum from the University of Kansas 
     and became assistant principal at the school in 1969 and was 
     appointed director of personnel for the district nine years 
     later.
       In 1980, he was appointed assistant superintendent. Three 
     years later he completed his doctoral degree in educational 
     administration and curriculum, also from KU.
       Wimmer was selected superintendent in 1991 after a 
     nationwide search. As superintendent, he encouraged the board 
     to join in a lawsuit against Kansas regarding school funding 
     in 1991 and implemented a new school funding formula, which 
     included the local option budget.
       The major projects Wimmer stayed on for after his 1996 
     eligibility for retirement included four bond issues totaling 
     $314 million. He also saw 16 schools open, two district 
     activity centers and other facilities.
       During his time as the district's leader, Wimmer saw 
     enrollment jump from 15,357 students to nearly 23,700 
     students, making it the third-largest district in Kansas. The 
     district's staff has nearly doubled. It now employs more than 
     3,600 people. Wimmer's awards during his years as 
     superintendent include the Olathe Citizen of the Year from 
     the Olathe Area Chamber of Commerce in 1997, Kansas 
     Superintendent of the Year that same year from the Kansas 
     Association of School Administrators and the Distinguished 
     Community Service Award from MidAmerica Nazarene University 
     in 2000.
       However, what you won't find on his proverbial mantle is 
     what he's most proud of--his relationship with students, 
     parents and staff and his contribution to maintaining the 
     feel of a small community within the district.
       ``I think it's critical to the climate of the 
     organization,'' he said. ``Everything we do is accomplished 
     by people. It's important the person in my role have a good 
     rapport with the people to maintain a positive climate in the 
     school district.''
       While Wimmer has been superintendent, student achievement 
     scores have reached all-time highs on the SAT, ACT and Kansas 
     Assessment tests and the district's staff development methods 
     were chosen as a model by the U.S. Department of Education. 
     He said he's also proud of the district's reputation locally. 
     A survey conducted during parent teacher conferences this 
     fall showed 97 percent of the 1,900 parents who participated 
     giving the district an A or B grade.
       Wimmer cites the district's continued focus on excellence, 
     which has led it to being dubbed the only district in Kansas 
     to receive the Kansas Award of Excellence. A year ago, the 
     district launched its 21st Century High School Programs in 
     aerospace and engineering; e-communication; biotechnology/
     life sciences; and geosciences. The programs are now being 
     studied nationally by districts seeking to find ways to 
     engage students in academics and make classroom learning 
     relevant.
       ``I think that's the most significant reform movement you 
     would find anywhere at the secondary level anywhere in the 
     country,'' he said. Staying in the same district for his 
     entire career, despite opportunities elsewhere, is another 
     achievement.
       ``I never started out to do that,'' he said. ``A growing 
     district provides opportunities for advancement. I have just 
     been very fortunate to have all of my professional career 
     aspirations met while I was in this district.''


                              WHAT'S NEXT

       As his education career ends, Wimmer said he plans on 
     staying in Olathe, which he's called home for 40 years.
       ``I'm looking forward to being a private citizen,'' he 
     said.
       He said he plans to continue to be an advocate for children 
     and public education. ``I'm going to consider other options 
     that might come available and continue to be involved in the 
     community,'' he said.
       He said he doesn't plan on pursuing any political 
     aspirations.
       ``At one time I did, but at this point and time I do not. I 
     don't like the negative tone of politics,'' he said.
       Other possibilities for Wimmer may include doing some 
     consulting work or even writing a book.
       ``I have some thoughts on what it will take for education 
     in the future to achieve the higher expectations that are 
     imposed on schools today,'' he said.
       As for the district's future, he said the board now must 
     determine what type of process it wants to utilize in 
     selecting his replacement. He said he expects a special board 
     meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the process and the 
     road ahead. He said he expects the process to be completed by 
     February.
       He stressed that while he may assist in the process, he 
     won't take part in making any decisions.
       ``That's entirely up to the board of education,'' he said.
       Wimmer said he expects the board to accept his notice of 
     retirement at its December meeting.
       Wimmer said he knows he made the right decision and doesn't 
     feel like he overstayed his welcome.
       ``I know I didn't wait too long,'' he said. ``I hope I just 
     didn't go too early and only time will tell.''
       Wimmer said he's going to miss the people he works with, 
     the students and others he's come in contact with as 
     superintendent, among other things.
       ``I went to the football game and said, `This is something 
     I'm going to miss,' '' he said. ``My wife reminded me that I 
     can still go back to the football games. I plan on continuing 
     to go.''

                          ____________________