Paul Turner will be the new assistant principal at Ray-Pec South Middle School, effective July 1. The Ray-Pec School Board approved the hiring at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Turner previously served as a secondary teacher and football coach in Colton, S.D.; Commerce, Texas; Liberty, Mo.; and Kansas City, Mo.; before accepting his current leadership position as the Curriculum Coordinator for Social Studies for the Kansas City, Mo., Public Schools.

He said the sense of community attracted him to Ray-Pec.

“The Ray-Pec School District feels like a family atmosphere that is growing, and this is something that I want to be part of going forward,” Turner said.

South Middle School Principal Dr. Randy Randolph believes that Turner’s leadership skills, desire to make a positive impact on students and their families in our community, and teacher development experience will be an excellent fit at South Middle School.

Turner served in the U.S. Army for nine years.  He was a Platoon Sergeant at Fort Bragg, N.C.  and was a recruiter for four years in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  

Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in History with a teacher education specialization and minor in Geography from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. He earned a master’s degree in Advanced Studies with a focus on engaging learners and instructional leadership from the American College of Education, Indianapolis, Ind. He received his Education Specialist degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in Secondary Administration, from Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg. He is currently working toward his doctorate degree in superintendency from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.

Turner and his wife, Erin, live in Kansas City with their three children, Anayah, 11; Amria, 6; and Pierce, 4.

He will replace Eric Arnold, who is retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.