Riverton names new school superintendent

The Riverton, Kansas, Board of Education has named the new Superintendent of Schools for Riverton USD 404.

Dr. Kevin Cooper has been selected for the position beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

Official duties will begin July 1, 2023. Read more from the school district below:

Dr. Cooper recently retired as Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations at Webb City after 31.5 years in public education. He held that position for 11.5 years. Prior to that, he was an elementary principal at Harry S. Truman Elementary School in Webb City for 12 years. He also served as an elementary principal in Carthage for three years, and taught fifth grade in Webb City for two years and in Ozark, Missouri, for three years.

Dr. Cooper graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1991, from Missouri State University with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 1996, from Pittsburg State University with a Specialist’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2002, and from Saint Louis University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2009.

Dr. Cooper has been married to his high school sweetheart for 31 years. She is currently a process coordinator for the Webb City School District and is in her 29th year as an educator. They have two children, a daughter, Mackenzie, who is a Speech-Language Pathologist in Warrensburg, MO where she lives with her husband, and son, Cole, who is a senior at Pittsburg State University where he is studying Plastics Engineering.

“I am very excited to join the Riverton family. Riverton has a great school district and has tremendous support from the community. I look forward to building positive relationships with staff, community, and especially students. I believe these relationships are essential for students to succeed in school. We will make sure that our students leave Riverton ready to succeed in our ever-changing world.” – Dr. Kevin Cooper