Joe Obermark has been hired by the School District of Washington as the new principal at Washington West Elementary, effective July 1, 2022.
Obermark will replace Kim Hunt, who is retiring following the 2021-22 school year.
A 1999 graduate of Washington High School, Obermark attended the School District of Washington throughout his K-12 elementary and secondary career, attending South Point Elementary, Fifth Street Elementary, Washington Middle School and Washington High School.
Following graduation, Obermark went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. He started his educational career as the Director of Band and Choir for grades 6-12 in the Crawford County R-1 School District in Bourbon, and held that role for 12 years.
Obermark embarked on his administrative journey in 2018, serving as Assistant Principal, Director of Testing, Director of Transportation, and Director of Safety for the Crawford County R-1 School District.
Shortly after starting his administrative career, Obermark was promoted within the Crawford County R-1 School District to his current position, Elementary Principal at the K-4 elementary building, which also serves the District’s early childhood program. He’s currently in his fourth year in that role, giving him 16 years at Crawford County R-1 and in education overall.
“I have a lot of fond memories attending school in Washington. I was very active in the band program in high school,” Obermark said. “Coming back to Washington has always been in the back of my mind. To give back to the community where I was raised is something I’m really looking forward to doing. I’m very grateful for everyone at Bourbon for the last 16 years, but coming back home was just a great opportunity.”
“Throughout the interview process, it was important for the various interview teams to support the family atmosphere and high academic expectations of Washington West. We have found that in Mr. Obermark,” said School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart. “We are looking forward to having him return to the Washington community as the principal of Washington West and a valued member of the School District of Washington leadership team. “
Obermark has already met some of the staff at Washington West.
“Over the next several months, we will be organizing time for Mr. Obermark to meet the staff at Washington West and get acclimated with the School District of Washington,” said Dr. Rachael Franssen SDOW Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Support Services. “I know the West family culture and student-centered innovation was important to the team. I believe we have found the person to continue with these traditions while continuing to help us all grow.”
“I was at Washington West on Monday (February 7) and Ms. Hunt was kind enough to give me a tour of the building along with Dr. Franssen,” Obermark said. “I met some of the staff and students. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Some of the teachers I remember from high school. It was nice to put faces with names and start to make some connections.”
Not only is Hunt retiring following the current school year, but so too is Washington West Assistant Principal Glenda Leslie. It will be a changing of the guard at West for the 2022-23 school year. The interview process for the new assistant principal is still under way.
“Just visiting the building, I could easily tell that Ms. Hunt and Mrs. Leslie are going to be missed by the students and staff,” Obermark said. “That building has a lot to be proud about for the kind of atmosphere they’ve created over the last several years. I’m looking forward to keeping that tradition of educational excellence moving in a positive direction.”
Joe and his wife, Casey, reside in Union and have six children between them ranging from third grade through 10th grade. Casey, who has been in education for 14 years, currently teaches at Central Elementary in the Union R-XI School District.
Joe Obermark