The Moniteau County R-1 School District has selected its newest superintendent, set to follow on the heels of current superintendent Dwight Sanders following his retirement after the 2021-22 school year.
Daniel Williams will join the Moniteau County R-1 School District following a five-year stint as superintendent in Winfield. Faculty and staff for the Moniteau County R-1 School District gathered together at the California High School Performing Arts Center Monday for a meet-and-greet event welcoming him to the role.
After a roughly month-long search process, school board president Derek VanLoo and Sanders said they are looking forward to Williams taking over the position. Williams has had a long career working in education, as well as a personal history with the community, that made him stand out among other candidates for the job.
"I've had an opportunity to know Daniel for a decade," Sanders said. "He was a principal within the district prior (to his position outside of California), so he's a very capable administrator. I know he's going to do a great job as the district's next superintendent, so I'm excited for him to be here."
Born and raised a California Pinto, Williams attended school in the district from kindergarten to 12th grade. Williams said he always had a passion for education and during his sophomore year of high school decided that he was going to become a teacher.
After gaining a background teaching fifth and sixth grade, Williams returned to his home town as an assistant principal and would work his way up to becoming principal at California Elementary School. However, he would have to leave once again to pursue a career in Winfield, where he spent the last half-decade.
Williams said after all these years, he is happy to be home and that he could not be more excited to have been offered the position.
"It is like a dream come true to be coming back to a community that I love and was a part of for so many years," Williams said. "To now be in a role where I can serve the teachers, the students, parents and the community as a whole as a leader is just amazing."
Williams said he hopes to bring a sense of leadership that people can trust. He said he also would like the community to know that he always has what is best for students at the forefront of his decision-making process and wants to continue to build a strong legacy for California.
"First and foremost, (I would like people to know) that I'm always available," Williams said. "Students, parents, teachers and community members have concerns, I want them to know that high visibility is something that I focus on. I ask for people to come and see me if they have any questions, concerns or just want to talk."