A familiar face will be returning to Warren County as part of a restructuring of the Wright City R-II School District administration.Dr. Jeremy Way, who previously served as principal at Warrenton High School, has been hired as the new assistant superintendent at R-II. He will join Assistant Superintendent Jen Hecktor and Superintendent Dr. David Buck at central office, serving as director of human resources and facility operations. Way will also take on transportation liaison duties for the bus service.Buck said the district decided to make changes to the position that has been filled for the past 15 years by Facilities Director Jack Sanford, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.Buck pointed out that the district did not add a position. “It’s the same position, but we’re reconciling it and adding human resource duties,” said Buck. “It doesn’t require any additional employees, just a retitling of the position.”He said this will allow the administration to focus more specifically on detailed responsibilities.“That frees (Hecktor) up to focus on curriculum assessment and instruction only,” said Buck. “Our purpose is to educate kids, so we want to free her up to focus solely on that.”Way emerged from a pool of candidates selected by a 12-person committee that included principals, maintenance crew, special education and central office staff. He comes to Wright City after four years in the Pacific School District, where he was an assistant superintendent before more recently serving as interim superintendent.“I think (Way) fits our needs in a lot of what we’re looking for in different settings,” said Buck. “Human resource-wise he was by far the best candidate. In regards to facilities, he’s had a lot of experience at Pacific with the bond issues they’ve had.”Way has overseen human resources and student services for Pacific, which includes 3,100 students and 550 employees. He has also been in charge of major facility programs that include a $1.5 million roof upgrade and currently a new early childhood education center.Way said positive feedback about Wright City and the chance to continue serving in human resources were enticing. Making a much shorter drive from his home in Wentzville is also an important factor.“One thing I love about human resources is I really feel like it has a direct impact on student achievement,” said Way. “The idea of going out and recruiting talent and getting them onboard and giving them what they need to be successful is key.”Way earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He went on to complete his education specialist and doctorate degrees at Lindenwood.He will begin his duties at Wright City on July 1, earning a salary of $120,000 during his first year.

Jeremy Way has been hired as the new assistant superintendent of the Wright City R-II School District. Way, who previously served in administrative roles at Warrenton and Pacific, will oversee human resources and facilities operations. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe