Dear Nixa community, Dr. Stephen Kleinsmith’s
My family and I want to take this
opportunity to say “thank you”
for opening your arms and your
hearts to us 18 years ago.
It’s been a lovely stretch of
time, one that has benefi ted
us all in many ways. We’ve
always felt as though “we
pulled together” for the
programs and projects that
ultimately benefi ted Nixa,
especially the youth of our
community. Our community
has been tested many
times over my time here,
but each time I have been
reminded how much Nixa
comes together when there
is a need, a heartbreak and a time to
celebrate.
I have no doubt that Nixa’s “Legacy
of Learning” will continue for years to
come. For it is this community that rallied
around its students so many years ago
to establish a school for the youth to
be educated and fi nd success. It is that
community that will continue to fi ght for
providing an education to each and every
Nixa Superintendent
Stephen Kleinsmith
student that walks through the doors
of a Nixa school building.
I have seen over and over again you
stepping in and fi lling a need. You have
fed our hungry. You have shown up
when we send students
off to a State playoff. And,
you volunteer and are
directly involved in our
schools to make them
better and better.
It was this feeling of
“oneness” that created the
synergy which enabled
us to put “Excellence in
Action” and be a shining
light across the state and
nation of what a public
school can be. Keep that
light shining so Nixa can
always be known as a place where we
put our students fi rst.
When we moved to Nixa 18 years
ago, we didn’t fully realize how much we
would call this community home. But
that is what has happened. We have
raised our children here and we are
staying in the area to retire.
Once again, my wife Kari and our two
sons Elijah and Jacob appreciate you,
the Nixa community, and remember
there will always be an eagle in us!
accomplishments:
• Implemented strategic planning process,
which brought about many accomplishments
for the district over the past 18 years
• New SCORE facility was constructed
• Implemented volunteer program
• Worked to form Nixa Education Foundation
• Expanded early childhood program two
times and program was named 2013 Missouri
Program of the Year
• Expanded career/technical education options
at Nixa High School
• Espy Elementary and Nixa High School
were named national Blue Star Schools
• Implemented XLT program
• Passed multiple no-tax-levy-increase bond
issues to construct new buildings and add
on to or remodel existing buildings
• Five FEMA safe rooms were constructed
• Record high ACT score and record low
drop-out rate
• JTSD was opened as fi rst K-6 magnet
school in state
• CONNECTED was implemented
• 2010 Missouri Association of School Administrators
Pearce Award
• 2010 Missourian Award
• 2011 Springfi eld Business Journal “Men of
the Year”
• 2018 Missouri Superintendent of the Year
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SPRING 2018 THE NEST NIXA PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAGAZINE 3