After nearly three decades in the Blue Valley School District, Superintendent Tonya Merrigan earned high praises during her last school board meeting.
At the Blue Valley Board of Education’s Monday meeting, board members paid tribute to the outgoing superintendent, who formally retires June 30, as well as Chief Communications Officer Kristi McNerlin, in an emotional farewell.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve this community, and I will always be on Team Blue Valley, cheering you on for many years to come,” Merrigan said in her departing address to the board.
School board members pay tribute to Merrigan
Current Board President Gina Knapp and other board members gave their praises, noting Merrigan’s thoughtful, intentional leadership and deep connection to the people who make up the district.
“We walk through the buildings, and you know everybody’s kids, everybody’s mom, everybody’s cousin, everybody’s spouse,” Knapp said. “I mean, it’s amazing the families that are in all of our buildings, but that you also know them all.”
Jan Kessinger, who takes over as the new board president of the Blue Valley school board, likewise honored Merrigan’s 36 years in education, 26 of which were in Blue Valley.
“You’ve got a great mind as well as a heart, you know. You would flunk in The Wizard of Oz, because you’ve got the brains, you’ve got courage, and you’ve got a heart,” Kessinger said to Merrigan directly. “[You are] extremely devoted, and you work without an agenda, and you’re willing to make the hard decisions.”
Below is a video of Blue Valley students’ tribute to Merrigan:
Merrigan first joined Blue Valley Schools in 1999 as a high school counselor and rose through roles including principal, district-level positions and deputy superintendent before becoming superintendent in the summer of 2020.
She is Blue Valley’s eighth superintendent and the first woman to lead the district. Under her leadership, Blue Valley navigated challenging times. She led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on student well-being and continuity of learning while overseeing steady enrollment, facility expansions and academic initiatives.
Merrigan led bond and facility planning efforts, expanded mental health support and emphasized hiring and retaining high-quality staff to serve over 22,000 students.
“I hope that’s my legacy,” Merrigan said of her focus on staff recruitment and retention. “I’m so proud of the staff and how hard they work to make sure that the 22,000 students have what they need each and every day.”
Reflecting on her successor, she endorsed former Shawnee Mission School District Administrator Gillian Chapman, who will take over the role July 1.
“I have known Dr. Chapman for many years, and when I think of who I would pick to succeed me, she is at the top of the list,” Merrigan said. “She is the right hire at the right time.”
Honoring Kristi McNerlin
Also marking her final board meeting, Blue Valley Chief Communications Officer Kristi McNerlin received a Distinguished Service Award.
After nearly 25 years with Blue Valley, McNerlin will be the new strategic communications officer for the Raymore-Peculiar School District starting this July.
McNerlin’s achievements include launching the district’s social media channels, overseeing the transition of district news magazines and creating a district podcast.
Under her leadership, the communications team earned two national awards this year from the National School Public Relations Association, an organization that develops professionals to communicate strategically, build trust and foster relationships in support of their school communities.
“It’s been an honor, I feel blessed,” McNerlin said. “The people of Blue Valley will always have my heart.”
Below is Merrigan’s final sendoff for the 2024-25 school year:
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