'We'll always support your kids:' Yukon superintendent discusses upcoming retirement, challenges for successor

Before Yukon Public Schools announces its new superintendent on Wednesday, current Superintendent Dr. Jason Simeroth joined the News 9 team to discuss what his successor can expect.

Wednesday, January 22nd 2025, 7:07 pm

By: Christian Hans


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Yukon Public Schools is set to announce its new superintendent at a school board meeting on Wednesday, the district announced.

The current superintendent, Dr. Jason Simeroth joined the News 9 team to share more about his upcoming retirement and the latest information from the district.

Related Coverage: Keith Sinor named Superintendent of Yukon Public Schools

Q: Can you talk to us about your decision to retire?

Simeroth: It's tough. I love what I do, it's been a long time doing it, I think this is my 17th year as a superintendent. I think you just know when it's time, I wanted to leave while the district was still in good shape, making progress, and let somebody else just take what my team and my teachers have built and improve upon it. It's just time for a change.

Q: What happens after you leave? What are you most proud of that you've accomplished?

Simeroth: I think it was the culture that we built. I think if you ask most people why they want to come to teach in Yukon or work in Yukon, it's because we really like each other and we enjoy what we do. I think when you enjoy what you do, it shows in the work that you do, and our kids flourish. We've expanded our facilities, we've grown probably almost 1000 kids over the last 11 years that I've been there. People want to be there, and that means a lot when people want to be someplace that you're a part of.

Q: For the incoming superintendent that will be named tonight, what are some of the challenges that person is going to take on?

Simeroth: Locally, it's going to be the continued growth, they're going to have to manage that, whether it's through adjusting school zones or building new schools. I think not only the challenge for this superintendent coming in, but for all the people in the state, is how are they going to manage the strife that is present currently with our state superintendent.

Q: What would you tell him? What would your advice to be?

Simeroth: I think it's just, we need to do what's right for kids. We need to stop being self-promoting and stop being, in my opinion, antagonistic. The things that are said are not productive for helping kids, we need to figure out how to work together.

Q: What do you want parents and teachers in your district to know?

Simeroth: Just hang in there. Stay with us and support us. We'll always support your kids. Every kid that walks through the door, it doesn't matter who they are, who their parents are, what color they are, how much money they have, we're going to love them, we're going to teach them, and we're going to make them successful.

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