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Four District Administrators Promoted

Posted January 29, 2015

Four administrators in the Independence School District will have new responsibilities this fall.

Janet RichardsDr. Janet Richards will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education starting in the 2015-2016 year. She has served in the Independence School District for 25 years. A former student and teacher in the district, Richards has served as principal at Spring Branch Elementary and Bridger Middle School. Richards is looking forward to using her collective experiences in her new role.

Richards will fill the position left open by Patti Simcosky, Director of Early Education, who will be retiring this year.  Deputy Superintendent Dred Scott will be assuming Early Education leadership along with his other responsibilities.

Jeff Williams

Taking Richards’ place as principal of Bridger Middle School is Jeff Williams. Williams has served the Independence School District the past three school years as the principal of Little Blue Elementary, opening the school in the fall of 2012. Prior to joining ISD, Williams served as a principal in Liberty Public Schools for eight years. Williams began his career in public education as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Center School District. Williams has built a culture from the ground up at Little Blue, and looks forward to finding out what makes Bridger unique and building on those strengths.

Patrick Layden

Patrick Layden will move into the role of Director of Student Data Management/Residency. Layden has been with the Independence School District for more than 20 years where he has served as a teacher, learning coach, and most recent as the principal of Van Horn High School.  Layden is also a graduate of the Independence School District along with several generations of his family. He is looking forward to his new role and the ability to expand our customer service and data processes.

Layden will be taking the place of Enrollment Coordinator Rick Jackson, who will retire after this year.

randy maglinger

Filling the position of Van Horn principal will be Randy Maglinger.  Maglinger currently serves as Assistant Principal at William Chrisman High School. Maglinger is a graduate Chrisman as well. Maglinger looks forward to building relationships with the students, staff, and parents at Van Horn.