Raytown Superintendent Dr. Allan Markley Announces Retirement
Raytown C-2 School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Allan Markley announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2022. Upon his retirement, he will have served 27 years in education, 21 years as a superintendent and 14 years in the Raytown C-2 School District.
Raytown Schools Board President Alonzo Burton shared comments on behalf of the Board of Education, “We are grateful for the leadership and insight Dr. Markley has provided during his tenure in Raytown. As we look to the future, we will continue the momentum of our past successes. We now have the very important task of finding Dr. Markley’s successor. We ensure our stakeholders that we will work diligently to identify the best possible candidate for this job.”
In a letter to staff, Dr. Markley shared, “It is incredibly hard to think that my time in the Raytown C-2 School District is nearing its end. I take so much pride in the memories and successes that have filled the last 13 years of my career.”
Under Dr. Markley’s leadership, the District has attained several notable accomplishments. Highlights include:
- Increased student ACT scores, attendance and graduation rate
- Expanded early childhood offerings and opened Three Trails Preschool
- Launched the Southland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (Southland CAPS)
- Became a 1:1 district and through a partnership with REF, provided seniors with a laptop to take with them after graduation
- Earned the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal, recognizing the District’s commitment to ensuring the privacy and security of student data
- Recognized as a Common Sense District by Common Sense Education to recognize the District’s commitment to providing safe and innovative spaces for students to thrive as they harness the potential of technology for learning and life
- Started the Attend to Win program to encourage increased average daily attendance
- Implemented the Grow Your Own teacher recruitment program to encourage graduates to return to Raytown
- Opened and extended Summer Learning Academy for grades 3-5 & 6-8
- Opened Herndon Career Center Culinary Arts Institute and Cinder Restaurant
- Opened the Raytown Schools Wellness Center and the award-winning employee onsite Quality Care Clinic
- Recognized as one of the Healthiest Employers in Kansas City by the Kansas City Business Journal four years in a row
- Received Platinum certification from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Certification Program (Healthy KC) in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
- Recognized as one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America presented by Springbuk® - selected as number 24 out of 100 workplaces
- Experienced a return on investment of over $2.6 million, which equates to $1.60 avoided for every $1 spent. Employees have saved an estimated $543,000 in out-of-pocket expenses by utilizing the Clinic
- Reduced health and property casualty cost in excess of $3 million
- Founded the Raytown Three Trails Kiwanis/Raytown Schools Alumni Joe Herndon Memorial & Benefit Golf Tournament and raised over $200,000 for Raytown Kiwanis and Youth Sports
- Founded the Raytown Basketball League in partnership with Raytown Parks and Rec
- Improved existing facilities totaling more than $100 million by passing
- $53M Strong Bonds, Bright Futures Bond in 2019
- $23M Refresh Raytown Schools Bond in 2014
- $.89 Quality Counts Levy increase in 2009
- As well as multiple annually budgeted capital improvements
- Remodeled Raytown South High School’s football/soccer/track and baseball/softball stadiums
- Built Raytown High School’s baseball/softball stadium and remodeled Raytown High’s football/soccer/track stadium
- Implemented turf at High School stadiums
- Returned $14 million to the budget through settling the Winchester Tax Increment Financing Plan
Dr. Markley added, “When my wife Kathy and I moved to Raytown, we were a family of four, uncertain as to what the future had in store for us. This community not only welcomed us, but also accepted us. Raytown gave us the home we needed to grow. Now 13 years later, we have a senior and junior at Raytown High School and a fifth grader at Norfleet. Seth, Luke and Josh are learning to become outstanding citizens because of the staff, students, families and community members who make this a wonderful place to raise children.”
Dr. Markley began his employment with the Raytown C-2 School District in the fall of 2008, serving as Superintendent of Schools.
In 1995, he started his career in education as a high school history teacher in Stockton, Mo. He then taught high school history in the Belton School District before becoming a Principal at Sparta High School. In 2001, Dr. Markley became Superintendent of Schools for the Sparta R-II School District before serving as Superintendent of Schools of the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District in 2005. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University and has previously served as an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University and Southwest Baptist University.
Holding a Bachelor of Education from Southwest Missouri State University, Dr. Markley received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership form St. Louis University in 2003.
Dr. Markley has been actively involved in serving the Raytown and Greater Kansas City Community. Highlights of his service include:
- Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA): Executive Committee, 2012-2019; Legislative Committee, 2009-present; Legislative Committee Chairman, 2012- 2013, 2019-2020; Legislative Committee Co-Chair and Treasurer, 2014-2015; Secretary, 2015-2016; President-Elect, 2016-2017; President, 2017-2018, Past President, 2018-2019
- Missouri Securities Investment Program (MOSIP): Chair 2014-present; Director 2004-present
- Kansas City Citizens Violence Task Force, 2015-2017
- Show-Me Accreditation and Assessment Task Force, 2015
- Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Director 2013-2015
- Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City (CSDGKC), President and Ad-Hoc Legislative Committee Member, 2012-2013; President-Elect, Legislative Committee Member and Legislative Subcommittee Chair, 2011-2012; Secretary/Treasurer of Legislative Committee, 2010-2011, Board of Directors, 2010-2018
- Department of Missouri Secondary and Elementary Education, Advisory Council Member of Commissioner Chris Nicastro, 2010-2013
- Greater Kansas City School Administrators’ Association (GKCSAA), President, 2010-2011
- Midwest Suburban Superintendents’ Association, 2007-present
- American Association of School Administrators, 2001-present
- Missouri Association of School Business Officials (MoASBO), Member
- Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce, Director, 2008-2010; Liaison 2011-present
- Raytown Educational Foundation, Director, 2008-present
- Raytown Three Trails Kiwanis Club, Member, 2008-present
- Raytown Rotary Association, Member, 2008-present
In 2017-18, Dr. Markley received the MASA Robert L. Pearce Award, which is presented to an outstanding Missouri Superintendent of Schools. In 2012-13, he was awarded the Missouri PTA Distinguished Service Award. Additionally, in 2012-13, Dr. Markley was also recognized as Administrator of the Year by the Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA).