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Southwest Plains Announces New CEO

A Message from Kelly Gillespie, CEO

Southwest Plains Regional Service Center is pleased to announce the hiring of our next Chief Executive Officer
Kim Mauk. Kim has received and accepted the offer extended by the Search Committee. Ms. Mauk comes to us with experience as a Kansas superintendent and as a district leader with redesign experience and KESA success.

Join me in congratulating Ms. Mauk and supporting Southwest Plains during the upcoming transition.
I am confident that you can expect continued high-quality service and "professional learning…innovative solutions” from the team at Southwest Plains.

New Consultant Named at Southwest Plains

Press Release
March 1, 2019

Southwest Plains Regional Service Center is proud to announce the hiring of Mr. Tyson Eslinger as an Education Consultant.

Tyson currently serves as a middle school principal in the Hugoton School District. Mr. Eslinger will begin his new position July 1, 2019. Tyson brings experience as a classroom teacher and building leader with a Bachelor of Science in 6-12 Social Studies, and endorsements in PreK-12 Physical Education and Business. His expertise beyond those areas of certification include: Technology, Project Based Learning, SECD Standards and Leadership.

Join us in welcoming Tyson to the SWPRSC Team.

Adult Education Program Gives Second Chances for High School Diplomas

KWCH12 Spotlights Dodge City Adult Learning Center

A program in western Kansas gives students who may not otherwise graduate high school the opportunity to earn their diplomas. For nearly two decades a program in Dodge City has allowed adults to return to earn their diplomas through online classes at the city's adult education center.

Esmeralda Soto says the opportunity changed her life. As she moved from city to city, she says her school experience was different than typical students. She says life got more difficult when she moved to Dodge City and she dropped out of high school. "It just brings you down. It makes you feel like you're not accomplished," she says. "So I started looking around." Last year, she finished what she started.

Since 2001, more than 200 students like Soto have received their diploma by taking high school courses online through the adult education program.

"The timeline for a student completing their courses depends on the students themselves and how many credits they're needing, how much time can they devote to their courses, how often they can get on, how long they can stay on," explains Dodge City Education Center Coordinator Pam Gleason.

With her high school diploma in hand, Soto says she wants to go to college and study animal behavior.
"You have to push through. You have to try to get the stuff you wanted to get done first, baby steps," Soto says.

Any Kansas student is eligible to enroll in the adult education program and to take online courses from home.

CLICK HERE to watch the story on KWCH12 News