Farmington R-7 Announces Interim Leadership, As Gibbs Makes Exit

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - The Farmington R-7 Board of Education shared Monday that Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs will be taking leave as he transitions to a new professional opportunity with another school district. District officials expressed appreciation for his service and wished him well in his next chapter.

To maintain continuity, the board has appointed Dr. Ashley Krause to oversee district operations on an interim basis. The board says it is confident in her ability to provide steady leadership and continue supporting staff, students, and families during the transition.

School officials emphasized that the leadership change will not affect day-to-day operations. Classes will continue as scheduled, and all extracurricular activities, athletics, and programs will move forward without interruption. Building administrators and staff will remain in place.

The district also noted that its newly hired superintendent, Dr. Hardy, who will officially begin her role in the 2026–2027 school year, is expected to begin visiting campuses in the coming weeks. Those visits will allow her to connect with staff and become familiar with district operations ahead of her start date.

The Board of Education says it remains committed to maintaining a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment for all students, and expressed appreciation for continued community support during the transition.