John McColloch has been hired as the School District of Washington’s new Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. The hire was approved by the Board of Education on Friday, April 3. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2020.
The Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operation is responsible for the administration and overall business operations of the District respective to their area, assigned departments and community functions.
Among many other responsibilities, the Assistant Superintendent serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive team with a central role in District planning, analysis, efficiency efforts, and long-range planning.
McColloch, who will turn 47 years of age in May, currently is in his 23rd year of public education, which includes eight years as a classroom teacher and the last 15 years in administration. He comes to Washington from the Salem R-80 School District, where he has been the Superintendent for the last five years. He served as Assistant Superintendent at Salem for five years before taking over as Superintendent.
McColloch, a 1992 graduate of Potosi High School, was the Principal at Salem Junior High for five years before taking over as Assistant Superintendent.
“The reputation of the District is what drew me to this opportunity. The Washington School District is a great place for students to learn,” McColloch said. “Dr. (Lori) VanLeer has a strong reputation across the region as a tremendous leader. I’ve worked with her through various functions in the past and have a great amount of respect for her and what she’s been able to accomplish. She’s got a strong team that I’m looking forward to be a part of.
“There’s also opportunities in Washington for my family. I have a son and a daughter going through school right now and I believe there will be some extended opportunities for them in Washington. We like the location. We have family living in Union, so we’ll be close to them. The big thing is that it’s a great school district with a great reputation and I want to be a part of it.”
McColloch began his career in education by teaching social studies and computer science at Salem High School, where he coached basketball and tennis. He also taught social students in the North Callaway School District.
“We are really excited to add John to our administrative team. His experience, demeanor, and skills will serve us well for many years to come,” said School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer. “As a current superintendent in a little smaller district, he comes highly recommended and will transition nicely into this role. I look forward to our collaboration and I can't wait for our community to meet him.”
McColloch received his Associate of Arts degree from Mineral Area College, Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), Master of Education Administration and Specialist in Education from William Woods University, and currently is working on his Doctorate in Education at William Woods University.
“I’m excited about getting to know everybody and building relationships with the people I’ll be working with on a daily basis, with the teachers and staff members, and with the community. This is going to be a new experience for me. I’ve been in the Salem School District for 20 of my 23 years in education, so moving somewhere new and working somewhere new is going to be a new experience. I’m looking forward to acclimating myself to the District and to the community. I’m aware of a lot of the things the District wants to do over the next few years and I’m excited about being a part of that.”
John and his wife, Sally, have been married for 20 years. She’s worked as an elementary art teacher for the last 15 years. They have two children; Brayden is 15 years old and a freshman in high school, and Brooke is 11 years old and in fifth grade.
John McColloch
John McColloch has been hired as the School District of Washington’s new Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. Pictured is the McColloch family. From left are his son Brayden, 15, John, his wife Sally, and his daughter Brooke, 11.