At its February 3 special meeting, the Hesston USD 460 board of education voted unanimously to approve a contract to Dr. Benjamin Proctor as the district's next superintendent. Proctor will take the reins on July 1, 2025, following the retirement of Kevin Logan.
Dr. Proctor is no stranger to USD 460, having served as superintendent from 2015-2022 and as principal of Hesston Middle School from 2012-2015. For the past three years, Dr. Proctor has held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Education for the Kansas State Department of Education, where he “collaborated with some of the best and brightest educational leaders in Kansas and across the country and . . . served on teams that are working to positively and fundamentally improve education for students across our state.”
Proctor has broad educational experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. In his previous term as USD 460 superintendent, Proctor led the community engagement process that resulted in the $33.85 million bond project, which is nearing completion. Under his leadership, the district responded creatively to the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize educational disruption and expanded career and technical education opportunities for high school students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History Education from McPherson College, a master’s degree in School Leadership from Baker University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Wichita State University.
Regarding his selection, Proctor said, "Given the opportunity to return home to USD 460, my desire is to help make Hesston the premiere school district in our state. I know what it takes to improve professional practices that will lead to positive outcomes for our students, and I know how to build the systems to sustain these practices and outcomes over time.”
Board president Layne Frick says that Dr. Proctor emerged from a thorough search process as the right candidate to lead USD 460. "The Board is confident in our choice of Dr. Ben Proctor and certain that under his leadership, USD 460 will continue to be recognized as a top school district in the State."