Dr. Argabright is currently in his 17th year as Superintendent of Schools at USD 252 Southern Lyon County and his 36th year in education. Dr. Argabright earned his Bachelor’s (Physical Education), Masters (Sports Administration) and Doctorate (Educational Leadership/Early Childhood) degrees from Wichita State University. Dr. Argabright completed his Administrative Licensure hours from Emporia State University.
Among many other areas of service in education, he currently serves as the Past President of the Kansas Schools Superintendents’ Association and as a Board Member at United School Administrators of Kansas. Additionally, Dr. Argabright serves on the KSSA Executive Committee for the American Association of School Administrators where he advocates for Kansas school districts.
Relationships and community involvement are high priorities for Dr. Argabright. Locally, he serves on the Ignite Emporia Investors Advisory Board, Jones Institute for Educational Excellence Advisory Board, Board of Directors for the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative, Board of Trustees for Newman Regional Health (past chairman), and a member of the Emporia Friends of the Zoo. In 2019-20, Dr. Argabright served as an SOS Strong Ambassador, helping to promote and raise funds/awareness. USD 252 participates in the United Way Campaign in Olpe, Hartford, and Neosho Rapids schools. In 2020, USD 252 was the recipient of the United Way Spirit Award. In 2021-22, Dr. Argabright served as the campaign chair for the United Way of the Flint Hills, raising over $420,000 for local charities.
Dr. Argabright proudly serves on the Southern Lyon County Education Foundation Advisory Board, the Kanas Hospital Governance and Leadership Committee, Greenbush Health Trust Advisory Board, Emporia Chamber of Commerce/Lyon County Legislative Platform committee, Wichita State University Sports Management Alumni Association, Mid-America Association of School Superintendents-Kansas Delegate, and is a National Delegate for Genex.
Dr. Argabright is married to Carla, a teacher at USD 386 in Madison. They have three grown children, Bradley, Mitchell, and Jacob. In his spare time, Dr. Argabright enjoys family, sports, gardening, hunting, fishing, and raising Charolais cattle.
Past AASA Kansas Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 Kansas Superintendent of the Year: Justin Henry
2020 Kansas Superintendent of the Year: Cory Gibson
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement