The Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) and the Kansas State Department of Education today announced a partnership with Innivee Strategies, Inc., a Deaf-led executive search and organizational development firm, to lead the national search for KSD’s next superintendent.
The search follows the retirement of Luanne Barron in June 2026. Interim Superintendents Joelle Allen and Joan Macy are leading the school through the transition.
For 165 years, since its founding in 1861, KSD has been a home for generations of Deaf students, families, and staff. Selecting the school’s next superintendent is a pivotal moment in that history, and KSD is committed to making this decision with its community, not just for it.
“Selecting our next superintendent is a defining moment that will shape the future of our school,” said Joelle Allen and Joan Macy, Interim Superintendents of the Kansas School for the Deaf. “Our students, families, staff, and alumni know KSD best. Their experiences and hopes for the future will guide what we look for in our next leader, and we want every member of our community to take part.”
Community engagement begins this month. KSD will share a community survey asking what people value most about KSD, what challenges and opportunities they see ahead, and what qualities and experience they want in the next superintendent. The survey will be available in both American Sign Language and English, so every participant can respond in the language that works best for them.
Melissa Yingst, Innivee’s lead consultant for the search, will be on campus at KSD in late October to lead in-person focus groups and listening sessions, with online options also available. Input from the survey, focus groups, and listening sessions will directly shape the leader profile, which defines the qualities, experience, and values KSD needs in its next superintendent. All activities will be accessible in ASL and English.
“We’re honored to partner with the Kansas School for the Deaf at such an important moment in its history,” said Shane Feldman, CEO of Innivee Strategies. “The strongest searches are the ones shaped by the people who know a school best. We look forward to working alongside the KSD community to find a leader who will carry its legacy forward.”
The superintendent position will be posted nationally before the end of 2026. Once applications are received, KSD and Innivee Strategies will share updates with the community at each stage of the search. The new superintendent is expected to begin on July 1, 2027.
Students, families, staff, alumni, and community members are encouraged to complete the survey, join a focus group or listening session, and invite others in the KSD community to take part.
About the Kansas School for the Deaf
Founded in 1861 and located in Olathe, the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) is the state’s lead educational resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Operating as a center-based campus for preschool through age 21, KSD ensures every student reaches their full potential in an accessible, language-rich environment. In addition to its campus programs, KSD provides statewide outreach services, early intervention support, and consultation to families and school districts across Kansas.
About Innivee Strategies, Inc.
Innivee Strategies, Inc. is a management consulting firm specializing in executive search, organizational development, strategic planning, and leadership development for organizations serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities nationwide.
