Columbia Public Schools will have two vacant positions to fill at the end of this school year.
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Linda Quinley will be leaving the district on June 30, alongside Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Brian Kurz.
Quinley, who has worked for CPS for 11 years, plays a significant role in the district’s day to day operations. She is responsible for over ten departments including the transportation, nutrition services, technology services, athletics and employee benefits departments.
Her role as the chief financial officer also warranted her inclusion in the management of several financial processes. Quinley oversaw the budget, calculated projections and advised the superintendent and board of education in various areas regarding finance. She was also the administrative lead on both the finance and policy committees.
Quinley will continue performing these duties as she prepares to work in the Kansas City School District.
“I had an opportunity to meet with their new superintendent and talk to them about basically the same role that I have [in Columbia],” Quinley said. “I’m just excited to go and take that new challenge.”
Kurz will be working as a superintendent in Central Illinois. He was scheduled to take over as the CPS deputy superintendent, a role currently held by Dana Clippard who is retiring at the end of the year, but rejected the role in favor of his new position.
Keith Bausman will take over as the new assistant superintendent for human resources once Kurz leaves. Bausman currently works in Albuquerque, New Mexico as the executive director of human resources.
Quinley says she’s confident that there are suitable candidates for her position.
“I know some amazing people around the state who do what I do, so I know there are some good people out there who would really be interested in coming out here to Columbia,” Quinley said.
In addition to Quinley’s position, there will be two more vacant spots on the district’s administration board after June 30.