Anyone who wants to meet the new Northwest R-1 School District Superintendent, Jennifer Hecktor, will have the opportunity on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
She will be at a meet-and-greet event from 5:30-7 p.m. in the gym at High Ridge Elementary School, 2901 High Ridge Blvd.
“I’m looking forward to providing parents and families an opportunity to get to know me a little better as an educator and as a leader, and give people a chance to ask questions,” she said. “It’s important that families have that opportunity to explore topics or ask questions they might have.”
Refreshments will be served at the event.
Hecktor took over as R-1’s superintendent on July 1, after former Superintendent Desi Kirchhofer retired on June 30, after leading the school district since 2017.
Hecktor is being paid $180,000 annual salary. Kirchhofer was paid $187,170.80 per year before he left.
Hecktor said she will start the meet-and-greet with an introductory presentation about herself.
“For people who just want to come and hear from me and hear a little bit about me, it’ll be a very quick, maybe 10-minute presentation,” she said.
After Hecktor’s presentation, she will be available to meet people and answer their questions.
Before joining the Northwest district, Hecktor was the assistant superintendent in charge of human resources at the Wentzville School District.
Hecktor started her career in education as a paraprofessional in the Francis Howell, Pattonville and Fort Zumwalt school districts. Then, while living for several years in Texas and Florida, she worked in special education. After moving back to Missouri, she worked as an administrative intern and principal for the Fort Zumwalt School District. She also was an assistant superintendent at the Wright City R-2 School District.
Hecktor said she will have an online form available for people who can’t attend the Aug. 9 meet-and-greet so they may submit questions for her to answer by email.
She said the link for the forum will be shared on the district’s social media. District coordinator of communications and community relations Chuck McPherson said the form also will be available on the district website, northwestschools.net, by Aug. 9.