LPS Superintendent Paul Gausman announces retirement

December 6, 2024

On Friday, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman announced in a letter to staff, families and the community a transition plan for his retirement as superintendent at the end of December. The Lincoln Board of Education will vote on the transition plan as part of the consent agenda at an upcoming regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

“My time here as superintendent has brought about even stronger feelings of regard for the people who make LPS and the community of Lincoln so remarkable,” said Gausman. “It is, therefore, bittersweet that I announce today that I will retire from the LPS superintendency at the end of this calendar year and from LPS at the end of June 2025.”

Gausman joined Lincoln Public Schools in July of 2022, coming from Sioux City, Iowa where he served as superintendent since 2014. Prior to joining the Sioux City Community School District, Gausman also worked at West Central School District and Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota, Millard West High School in Omaha, Lincoln Northeast High School and at Wisner-Pilger Public Schools.

Gausman also said in his letter, “I have determined that while 20 years in the public eye as a superintendent of schools has been vastly rewarding, it is time for me to explore other opportunities.”

In order to ensure a smooth transition and minimize the disruption for the school district, Gausman will retire from his superintendent duties on Dec. 27, and work with district leadership and the Board as a superintendent emeritus until the end of June 2025. In this position he will be available to consult and advise as needed on initiatives that are being worked on.

Per Board policy 2410, LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish will step in as interim starting Dec. 28 until the Board determines the next steps at their Jan. 14 regular meeting.

“On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Dr. Gausman for his service to Lincoln Public Schools and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” said Board President Bob Rauner. “Paul took over the leadership of LPS during a time when we as a district were recovering from a global pandemic. As our new data shows, our graduation rates have now recovered to and exceed our pre-pandemic graduation rates.”

“I was, I am, and will continue to be one of the greatest advocates and supporters of the Lincoln Public Schools,” signed Gausman.

You can read the full letter from Superintendent Gausman to the families and community below. 

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December 6, 2024

To the Lincoln community and Lincoln Public Schools families:

The Lincoln Public Schools are a shining example of what is good and positive in American Public Schools.

I have the highest regard for the Lincoln Public Schools and our community partners. When I taught instrumental music 30 years ago at Lincoln Northeast High School, I learned that LPS is truly special. I spent the next thirty years honing my knowledge and skills as an educator and school administrator in other states, including working as a public school superintendent for 20 years now. I am most proud of the LPS accomplishments of which I have been a small part but that we have experienced together and

• The development of a new Strategic Plan for the District focusing on
• Student Wellbeing and Outcomes
• Staff Wellbeing and Outcomes
• Family and Community Engagement
• District Systems and Operations
• The implementation of our new student behavior framework focusing on Prevention, Accountability, and Restoration (PAR) as well as other student behavior initiatives, including:
• The installation of vape detection devices in all high schools
• The implementation of a cell phone program to remove the digital device distraction from the instructional arena
• The use of an electronic hall pass system to increase safety and prioritize classroom instruction
• Implementation of staff culture, retention, and recruitment programs, including:
• “Grow Your Own” initiatives to prepare high school students for a career in education
• A program to assist current paraprofessionals to gain their teaching certificate to serve in district preschool classrooms
• The communication feature for staff to be in direct contact with the superintendent of schools to ask questions and share ideas for improvement
• Significant growth in the Four-Year Graduation Rate
• Growth in the District's Early Childhood Program
• A plan to add twelve new Early Childhood Classrooms to the district inventory, now under construction
• Growth in students enrolled at the Career Academy and participating in our eleven High School Focus Programs
• Over $2 Million raised in two years to bring closure to the LPS Foundation’s “Fielding Dreams” Campaign

It is, therefore, bittersweet that I announce today that I will retire from the LPS superintendency at the end of this calendar year and from LPS at the end of June 2025. I have determined that while 20 years in the public eye as a superintendent of schools has been vastly rewarding, it is time for me to explore other opportunities. I informed the Board of Education of my decision in November, and we agreed to a transition process to have me become Superintendent Emeritus starting in January for the Spring semester, where I will assist the district leaders and the board, as they desire, for consultation and support.

I was, I am, and will continue to be one of the greatest supporters and advocates of the Lincoln Public Schools.

Thank you,

Dr. Paul Gausman | Superintendent of Schools
Lincoln Public Schools

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