Olathe’s Berry named Kansas superintendent of the year

Olathe schools boss Marlin Berry has been named the Kansas Superintendent of the Year by his colleagues.

The award, made by the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association and announced Monday, qualifies him for possible national recognition. The group says the award is based on “professionalism, communication, community involvement and leadership in meeting the needs of students.”

Winning the honor gives him the chance to pick a high school senior for a $1,000 scholarship.

Berry has been an administrator with Olathe Public Schools since 2007, where he was named superintendent in 2010. He previously was superintendent to Smoky Valley Public Schools and Abilene Public Schools. He also worked as a high school principal in both the Lindsborg and Gardner Edgerton school districts.