TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Craig Neuenswander, former superintendent of USD 257 schools, will take the reins as deputy commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education beginning in October.
Neuenswander is replacing Dale Dennis, who is retiring Sept. 30 after 53 years with the department of education.
Dennis joined the education department in 1967 and was named deputy commissioner in 1976. He has been interim commissioner of education four times since July 1995.
As deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services, Dennis supervises the administration of about $5 billion in state and federal funds to school districts and nonpublic schools. He also has been liaison for the education department and the Kansas State Board of Education to the Kansas Legislature and the governor.
“Dale has been a relentless advocate for Kansas schools, teachers and students for more than five decades. Generations of Kansas children are better off — and will be better off — because of his work,” Gov. Laura Kelly said.
Dennis has won numerous awards, including the Kansas Association of School Business Officials’ Distinguished Service Award, which the agency later named the Dale Dennis Distinguished Service Award.
Neuenswander is currently director of School Finance. He was superintendent in Iola from 1999 to 2011.
