Silex Board Hires New Superintendent
April M. Fronick
A new superintendent has been selected to head up the Silex School District as board
members unanimously voted to hire Elaine Henderson to succeed Glenn Niffen who
resigned earlier this year.
“We didn’t really know what kind of candidates we would get when the job was listed a few
weeks ago,” stated Tom Kreuger, Silex board president. “The field of candidates was
strong and we’re very pleased to be able to hire someone of Elaine’s experience and
talent to lead our school.”
Henderson previously worked for the Silex School District as a teacher and as the high
school principal. She will return to the district after serving the past three years as
assistant superintendent for the Wright City School District.
“I am excited about returning to Silex School,” Henderson said. “I have 12 years of
experience with the district, which give me perspective. This is a good school in a good
community, but we need to start doing the things that moves us from good to great. Our
primary focus will remain on improving student learning and achievement.”
With a total of 24 years in education, Henderson started her career in Silex as a high
school English teacher and department head from 1983 until 1988. She moved to the
Winfield School District where she served as the Director of Services for three years. In
1998, Henderson returned to Silex to serve as high school principal until 2005 when she
took the assistant superintendent position with Wright City.
Henderson obtained a bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University and a master’s
of education from the University of Missouri. She also holds an Education Leadership and
Policy Analysis specialist degree.
Henderson, the third Silex superintendent in the last six years, hopes to bring more focus
and stability to the school. Kreuger said Henderson indicated she will remain with the
district for several years.
“We’re usually the first stop for a new superintendent,” he said.
Kreuger noted that Henderson showed a strong competitive flare during the interview
process. He explained that Henderson is determined to make Silex one of the best small
schools in Missouri.
“That was important to all of us on the board and we share her vision for the future,”
Kreuger said.
Henderson agreed she is competitive and noted her mentors have always been educators
who worked hard to develop winning strategies and led teams of hard-working individuals.
“We have a great staff with solid principals and solid teaching and a supportive
community. We’re ready to take the next step,” Henderson explained. “I’ve always felt a
connection to Silex and their success. I think this will be a beneficial relationship for me
and the district.”
Silex faces some tough challenges in the future as improvement projects, funded by the
bond financing recently extended by voters, gets underway and the school works to regain
its “Accredited with Distinction” status from the State of Missouri.
The board unanimously voted to hire Henderson in a special board meeting on April 30.
The superintendent selection process was completed in two phases. A teachers’
committee first screened and interviewed three candidates. The committee then forwarded
it observations and comments to the full board, who also interviewed all three finalists for
the job.
Henderson currently resides in the Troy area with her husband, Terry.
Elaine Henderson Is Selected To Succeed Glenn Niffen