FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       

Sept. 10, 2025  

Contact: Denise Kahler, director, KSDE Communications and Recognition Programs, denise.kahler@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4876 

Kansas Education Commissioner announces retirement

Dr. Randy Watson has led the state’s education agency since July 2015

  TOPEKA – Dr. Randy Watson announced today he will be retiring as the Kansas Education Commissioner, saying his retirement will not be immediate as he will serve until the Kansas State Board of Education names his successor.

“I will be happy then to step aside, whatever time that is, and serve you in any capacity until that time,” Watson told the board at the conclusion of their September meeting in Topeka.

“For ten years, it’s been my pleasure to serve the board,” Watson said after the meeting. “They’ve done remarkable work and have had many accomplishments over that time. I’m proud to have been a small part of that.”

Members of the State Board voted to accept Watson’s notice of retirement. Following the vote, Cathy Hopkins, board chair, said Watson has worked tirelessly to help make the 10-member board of education serve all Kansas students and educators.

“He’s always asking, ‘how can I make this board function on behalf of Kansas education as its best possible peak?’ He exemplifies that so well,” she said. “There’s a stability here because of Dr. Watson.”

Watson was named as the state’s education commissioner in Nov. 2014, after having served as superintendent for McPherson USD 418. His extensive education experience also has included serving as a teacher, principal, coach and part-time university faculty. As education commissioner, Watson has continued his focus on improving outcomes for Kansas students, leading the State Board and the Kansas State Department of Education through the Kansans Can initiative, which emphasizes student academic achievement in preparation for postsecondary success. This work includes initiatives to improve literacy, strengthen Kansas’ K-12 accreditation system, redesign schools to better meet the needs of students and create stronger pathways for success after high school.

A native of Coffeyville, Watson earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in education from Kansas State University. Among his numerous honors, he was named Kansas Superintendent of the Year in 2015 and received the Outstanding Service Award from the United School Administrators of Kansas in 2020.

As commissioner, Watson has made it a priority to visit all 286 school districts multiple times throughout his tenure, believing strong relationships are the key to Kansas leading the world in the success of each student.

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