District hires new superintendent

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The Palmyra R-1 School District has hired a new superintendent who will replace Kirt Malone, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

After a search and interview process, the board of education announced Friday that Jason Harper, who currently serves as the Clark County High School principal, will fill the position.

Harper earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Western Illinois University and began his career in education 26 years ago as a history teacher and coach at Knox County High School in Edina.

While at Knox County, he functioned as the district transportation director and athletic director while coaching varsity basketball.

In 1999, Harper began teaching middle school social studies and coaching varsity basketball at Clark County. 

He completed his master’s degree in administration in 2006, then his administrative specialist degree in 2008.

In 2006, Harper became the high school principal and vocational director at Clark County High School. 

During that time, he implemented the 1:1 technology initiative, expanded dual credit offerings in both traditional and vocational avenues and took a lead role in helping two bond issues pass in the Clark County R-1 School District. 

Under Harper’s guidance Clark County High School has consistently earned high grades on MSIP requirements in both academic attainment and college and career readiness standards.

In his 16 years in administration, Harper has taken an active role in the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, serving as the Northeast Region president in 2016. 

He was also named the Northeast Regional Principal of the Year in 2010 and 2017. 

He has mentored multiple high school principals in Northeast Missouri and been a speaker at the State MoASSP Conference as well as the Aspiring Principal’s Conference.

Harper’s wife, Nicole, teaches science at Clark County. 

They have three children, Corbyn a junior at Truman State University, Carter a junior in high school, and Callie who is a fourth grade student.