Nixa school leader takes superintendent job at district near KC

A top leader at Nixa Public Schools has taken a superintendent job with a district near Kansas City.

Josh Chastain is scheduled to start July 1, 2023, as the top job holder at Harrisonville School District, according to a news release.

"He brings a broad and diverse educational background with significant experience in instruction, curriculum and technology, and will be a great addition to our district," said Doug Meyer, Harrisonville School District board president, in the release.

Chastain is currently executive director of digital learning and professional development at Nixa Public Schools, where he's worked since 2007.

This year, he was among Springfield Business Journal's annual class of Men of the Year.

“A community’s future is determined by the successful education of its students,” Chastain said in his August award profile. "They are our future, and we have to make sure that every roadblock … is removed or accounted for so we can make sure they have the tools necessary to become productive citizens.”

At Nixa Public Schools, Chastain is credited with leading the opening of the John Thomas School of Discovery, a magnet K-6 school focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, according to past reporting.

The Harrisonville School District has roughly 2,100 students and 300 employees, according to its website. Current Superintendent Paul Mensching is retiring, according to the release.