News
   Valley Center
   Park City
   Kechi
   Bel Aire
   School
   Sheriff
   Police & Fire
   Deaths
   Looking Back
   Heard on Main Street
Municipal Court
Sports
   School Sports
   Rec League
People
   General
   Birthdays
   Engagements & Weddings
Opinions
   Editorials
   Letters
   Commentary
Columns
Church
Advertising
   Classified
   Legal
Middle school leaders leaving
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 17, 2019

Two of the three administrators at Valley Center Middle School are leaving at the end of the school year.

Neither has a specific job plan. Both have been looking for other positions outside of the district.

Principal Pete Bastian, who has been with the school district for 11 years, and Abby Thompson, assistant principal who was hired two years ago, announced their resignations this week.

Bastian told The news that leaving Valley Center was a difficult decision.

"There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to make a decision that's best for your family," Bastian said. "My oldest will be going to college next year and my youngest will be going into high school. If there ever was a perfect time to make a move, now is the time."

Bastian said he doesn't have a specific job opportunity lined up, but he is searching for a new position as a superintendent or assistant. He said he didn't want to wait too long to give notice to Valley Center.

"I know that if I waited and resigned in April, they wouldn't get a good candidate here," Bastian said. "I care too much about this town and the kids to let that happen. It's a hard decision but one that I knew I needed to make for myself, my family, this town and the kids."

Bastian was principal at West Elementary for nine years and moved to the middle school in 2017, when grades were reconfigured and former principal Greg Mittman resigned to take a job with the Sedgwick County Special Education Cooperative.

Bastian, who holds district-level certification, has been seeking career advancements over the years. In 2016, Bastian was a finalist for superintendent in the Burrton school district in Harvey County. He withdrew from consideration, saying his work in Valley Center was not complete.

"Eleven years ago, when I was a young first-time principal, this district gave me my first (principal) job and I appreciate it 100 percent," Bastian said. "… It's just time for me to make that professional move, and I wanted to give the district enough time to hire a replacement."

Thompson started with the district in 2017. She was a former English teacher in Hutchinson.

"I feel very fortunate to have started my leadership career here in Valley Center, surrounded by the very best people," Thompson said in an email. "It has been enjoyable and rewarding serving the students, staff, families and school community. I resigned last spring to serve as a leader in another district, then decided to stay another year. My time in VC has effectively prepared me for other educational opportunities which I plan to pursue. My resignation, which is effective end of the school year, was submitted so the district and I could begin making future plans."

Jordan Funk is expected to remain as assistant principal and athletic director next year.

Superintendent Cory Gibson said he was happy with the job Bastian and Thompson were doing at the middle school.

"I think they will be great administrators wherever they go," Gibson said. "… I can assure you that we appreciate their service, Abby the past two years and Pete for the past 11. We wish them the very best, absolutely the very best."

Mike Bonner, assistant superintendent, said the process to find Bastian's replacement has started. Once a principal is hired, he or she will have input on who is selected assistant principal.





Trending Stories
Valley Center Contact The Ark Valley News

Valley Center Another phase of housing gets started

Legals SEDGWICK COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE

School Dance theme: ‘Blast into the Past’

Valley Center ‘Blast into the Past’

Other Sections
News

Sports

People

Columns

Opinion

Contact Ark Valley News | Archives