Triplett Announces Retirement As Sedalia 200 Superintendent
Steve Triplett, who has been superintendent of Sedalia School District 200 since 2019, has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2022.
Triplett graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1983 and has worked in the district as a teacher, soccer coach and administrator since 1993. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri Southern State College in 1989, a master’s in Secondary Education from the University of Central Missouri in 2001 and his Education Specialist in Administration certification from William Woods University in 2008. Triplett was named the West Central district’s 2021 recipient of the Emerging Superintendent Award, given out annually by the Missouri Association of School Administrators.
During his tenure, Sedalia 200 expanded student access to technology, including one-to-one Chromebook access for students in grades 6-12, and opened the Loftus Early Childhood Center, which has provided greater educational opportunity for pre-K students. He initiated the Superintendent’s Bell Ringer Award, a monthly recognition for staff members who put the district’s mission statement into action.
Through his “Day Trippin’” video series, Triplett shared stories about students and staff members with the community. During his first year as superintendent, Triplett launched Chat and Chew, an opportunity to share breakfast and conversation with staff members at the buildings where they work.
“The past three years have presented challenges that we in public education have never experienced before,” Triplett said. “Over the past two years, the pandemic changed so much for us. I just want to reiterate how proud I am to work with such dedicated professionals who faced these challenges as they came to us, always keeping the welfare of our students at the forefront. In-person learning was critical, and we were able to provide that seamlessly."
Sedalia 200 Board of Education President Diana Nichols said, “I appreciate Mr. Triplett's commitment to Sedalia 200 and our students for the past three years. As superintendent, he implemented ‘Day Trippin’’ videos and Chat and Chew, which allowed him to spend time in the buildings interacting with staff and students, which was very important to him. The past two years have been challenging but Mr. Triplett's exceptional leadership skills allowed our district to continue with excellence."
The board will meet later this week to discuss options for finding Triplett’s replacement.
ECC
Sedalia 200 Superintendent Steve Triplett addresses the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Loftus Early Childhood Center in August 2021. Triplett has announced his retirement as superintendent, effective June 30, 2022.
CHATNCHEW
Steve Triplett, superintendent of Sedalia School Distreict 200, talks with Smith-Cotton High teachers during one of his Chat and Chew sessions in Novermber 2018. In Chat and Chew, Triplett would visit a school, provide breakfast for the staff and create an open channel for staff to ask questions about district issues.
SMSRODEO
Sedalia 200 Superintendent Steve Triplett takes a turn on the mechanical bull during Sedalia Middle School's rodeo-themed positive behavior assembly in October 2021.