24-05-2025
Independence School District names longtime employee as interim superintendent
The Independence School District Board of Education has announced its interim superintendent for the 2025-26 school year.
The school district's deputy superintendent of instructional services, Dr. Cynthia Grant, will take on the interim superintendent role beginning July 1, according to a news release from ISD Director of Public Relations Megan Murphy.
Grant has worked in the Independence school district since 1997, where she worked as an elementary school teacher at Glendale Elementary School, according to the school district's website. She then spent six years as the principal of the school.
In her current position as the district's deputy superintendent of instructional services, Grant 'leads academic programming, student services, and instructional support for more than 14,000 students,' according to the news release.
Grant will replace current superintendent Dr. Dale Herl, who will retire June 30. Herl has worked for the district for 16 years, 12 of which he served as superintendent.
In his retirement, Herl plans to focus on his family and children. Two of his children are college athletes and one plays professional football overseas.
The search for a permanent superintendent will begin later this year, according to the news release.
