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Admin

District Office Staff


Pic of Cory Gibson
Dr. Cory Gibson

Superintendent
[email protected]   
316.755.7000

Dr. Cory Gibson was chosen to lead the USD 262 Valley Center Public Schools district in 2012. It didn’t take too long after he became the Superintendent of the district for him to change his title slightly - to Proud Superintendent.

In addition to Proud Superintendent, Dr. Gibson has had many other titles throughout his career in education – custodian, district maintenance employee, latchkey assistant director, paraeducator, teacher, consultant, counselor, principal, and assistant superintendent.

He received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1998; his master’s degree in school administration in 2002; his district level administration degree in 2007; and his educational specialist degree in 2009, all from Pittsburg State University. He received his doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas in 2016.

He began his teaching career in 1999 at R.V. Haderlein Elementary School in Girard, KS; was principal and counselor of Roosevelt Elementary School in Miami, OK until 2003; was principal of Lakeside Elementary School in Pittsburg, KS from 2003 to 2006; was principal of Pittsburg Community Middle School from 2006 to 2008; was assistant superintendent of USD 250 Pittsburg Public Schools from 2008 until 2010 and adjunct professor of Leadership Studies at Pittsburg State University during that time; and was superintendent of USD 440 Halstead-Bentley Schools from 2010 until 2012.

Dr. Gibson is currently an adjunct professor of Leadership Studies at Wichita State University and Baker University.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Gibson serves as a member of numerous local, regional, and state-wide organizations. He has been recognized as Kansas Superintendent of the Year in 2020; Friends of Education Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force ABC Award in 2020; University of Arkansas Outstanding Doctorate Student in 2017.

Dr. Gibson was born and raised in Dodge City. He and his wife Jennifer are parents to two Valley Center Hornets!

Follow Dr. Gibson on Twitter: @VC262super


Mike Bonner
Dr. Mike Bonner

Assistant Superintendent
[email protected]
316.755.7000

Dr. Bonner joined the Valley Center administrative team in July 2012, and has a total of 37 years in education. Prior to Coming to Valley Center, Bonner was the principal at Maize High School. His experience also includes being the principal at Mulvane Middle School; Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Rose Hill Middle School; and 13 years of teaching and coaching in three districts.

Primarily responsible for human resources and federal and state programs, Bonner also oversees the maintenance and grounds, transportation, food service, and custodial departments, as well as many operational aspects of the district.
 
Bonner earned his Bachelor’s Degree from St. Mary of the Plains College, and his Master’s Degree, district-level license, and Doctoral Degree from Wichita State University. His family includes his wife Kelly, daughter Mikela, five small dogs and one large cat. He enjoys being active including running and entering local races..  

Pic of Adelyn Soellner 
Adelyn Soellner

Executive Director of Academic Affairs
[email protected]
316.755.7000

Mrs. 
Soellner joined the Valley Center district administrative team in July of 2019 and has a total of 28 years in education.  Prior to joining the district administrative team, Soellner was the principal of Wheatland Elementary School here in Valley Center.  Her experiences also include being an assistant principal at McCandless Elementary and a Curriculum Specialist both with Hutchinson Public Schools. Additionally, Soellner was a Professional Development provider at ESSDACK and taught 13 years in two different districts.

Her primary responsibilities as the Executive Director of Academic Affairs include Instruction, Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Development.

Soellner earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education  from Emporia State University; her Master’s in Teaching from Friends University; a Master’s of School Leadership Pre-K – 12 from Baker University; and her district-level license from Wichita State University.  

Her family includes her husband, Ron, and daughter, Abigail. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as crafting and reading.

Pic of Carla Clark 

Carla Clark
HR Administrative Assistant 
[email protected] 
316.755.7000


Serving as the assistant superintendent’s administrative assistant, Carla handles the human resource responsibilities including processing applications and new hires, teacher licensure, substitute teachers, FMLA and unemployment. Carla has been with the district since 2007.

Photo of Brianna Deas
Brianna Deas

Academic Support Coordinator

[email protected]
316.755.7000


Mrs. Deas earned her Bachelor of Arts Secondary English Language Arts from Wichita State University in 2011 and her Masters of School Leadership from Baker University in 2014. She has worked in education since 2011 and in a school leadership position since 2016.  She joined Valley Center School District in 2011.  Her professional license endorsements include Secondary English Language Arts 6-12 and School Leadership PreK-12.

Photo of Sara Haden


Sara Haden

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent/BOE Clerk

[email protected]
316.755.7000

Sara is the administrative assistant for the superintendent, board clerk, answers phone calls/questions, handles workman’s comp issues, and school lunch program applications. She’s been with the district since 2008.

Susan Harris
Susan Harris
Director of Finance
[email protected]
316.755.7000

Susan is the Director of  Finance and started working for the district in 2001. Before joining the district she spent 20 years in banking where she was the VP & Trust Operations Officer. At Valley Center, she is responsible for overseeing all the aspects of the Business Department including accounts payable, payroll and the budget. She also serves as the District's Insurance/Benefits Coordinator.  Susan has a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Fort Hays State University.

Photo of Debbie O'Rear

 
Debbie O'Rear
Payroll Clerk 

debbie
.o'[email protected]
316.755.7000

Having been with the district since 2001, Debbie has worked at both the building and district office level. She is currently the payroll clerk and responsible for tracking pay, hours, and leave for all district employees.

Amy Pavlacka
Amy Pavlacka
Director of Communications
[email protected]
316.755.7000

Amy is responsible for sharing the stories of our district's schools, teachers, students, staff, and achievements, using a variety of communication tools.  Amy updates and maintains the district website, shares news and information on social media, is the first point of contact for members of the news media, develops publications, and works to increase engagement within the Hornet family. She has a degree in Mass Communications, over 20 years of experience in non-profit communications, and received certification in the Kansas State University Digital Marketing program in 2021.

 Photo of Molly Rainey
Molly Rainey
Director of Food Service/Wellness
[email protected]
316.755.7000

Molly is the Director of Food Service and started working for the district in 2011. Molly's duties include overseeing the operation of National School meal programs-breakfast, lunch and Summer Food Service Program. Prior to joining Valley Center, she served as a Food Service Director in the private school sector.
Molly has a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Wichita State University.

Photo of Shelly Thomas


She
lly Thomas

Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk 
[email protected]
316.755.7000

As the accounts payable clerk, Shelly makes sure the invoices are received and the bills get paid. Shelly has been with the district since 2006.


Photo of Desirae Tyler

Desirae Tyler
Administrative Assistant

[email protected]
316.755.7000


Desirae is the district office administrative assistant/receptionist and assists callers and visitors to the district office.  She also assists the Executive Director of Academic Affairs.  Desirae has been with the district since January 2018.