The De Soto School District will have two new assistant superintendents next school year.
De Soto Board of Education members voted unanimously Feb. 15 to promote De Soto Junior High Principal Joshua Phipps to assistant superintendent of school operations and to hire Shawn Brown, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment in the Hannibal School District, to fill that same role at De Soto for the 2024-2025 school year.
The assistant superintendent position Phipps will fill had been eliminated in 2018, but school officials decided last month to reinstate the job and eliminate two others: director of human resources and dean of students.
Brown will replace Ron Farrow, who will be the new superintendent next school year. Farrow will replace current Superintendent Josh Isaacson, who is retiring.
Farrow said Phipps’ current annual salary is $94,375. His salary will be $120,000 as assistant superintendent next school year.
Brown’s salary will be $126,992 next school year at De Soto. Farrow is paid $117,800 this school year and will earn $155,000 next school year as superintendent.
“We are very excited to welcome both Mr. Phipps and Mr. Brown to our Dragon community,” Farrow said Feb. 16. “Both of these individuals bring unique talents and strengths to their respective roles, along with a wealth of experience in education. We look forward to their support of our staff, students and community as we continue the amazing growth and success we have experienced over the last few years.”
Phipps
Phipps, who has been the De Soto Junior High principal for the past five years, was chosen from among 19 candidates, Farrow said.
As assistant superintendent of operations, Phipps will oversee discipline and absorb the current human resources duties and the safety and security responsibilities the transportation director has been handling, Farrow said.
“I am extremely excited about the new role,” said Phipps, 43, of De Soto. “I have had the honor and privilege to serve in De Soto Schools for 20 years. I love this community, the district and the people.”
Phipps earned a bachelor’s degree from Webster University, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration and an educational specialist degree in superintendency from Missouri Baptist University.
Before serving as principal, he was the De Soto Junior High assistant principal. During his career, he has taught at De Soto’s alternative school and worked as an elementary teacher for St. Louis Public Schools.
Phipps is married to Sharron, who coaches cheer at De Soto High School and sponsors the FCA. They have two children.
Brown
Brown was hired from among 22 people who applied for the job, Farrow said.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next assistant superintendent of the De Soto 73 School District,” said Brown, 46, who will begin his 25th year in education next school year. “Throughout the interview process, I was so impressed with the district’s dedication to academic excellence and success for all students in De Soto. I am so excited to join an incredible team of administrators, teachers and staff members for the 2024-25 school year and look forward to becoming a member of the Dragon family.”
According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Hannibal had 3,203 students enrolled last school year while De Soto had 2,371 students.
Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in leadership from Lindenwood University and a specialist degree from Missouri Baptist University.
Brown has taught high school English and coached multiple sports. He has been a facilitator for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Outdoor Leadership Experience since 2015. He worked as an assistant principal and then as a high school principal before becoming an assistant superintendent five years ago.
He is married to Megan and they have four children.