Clark County superintendent hired to direct Hannibal School District beginning July 1

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal School District announced the appointment of Ritchie Kracht as the district’s next superintendent, effective July 1, in a Tuesday afternoon press release. 

Kracht has served as the superintendent of Clark County R-1 Schools in Kahoka since 2006. His notable accomplishments include the development of a 30-year facilities plan, the successful passage of two bond measures and the construction of an early childhood center. He also played a pivotal role in the consolidation of three K-8 school districts into Clark County R-1.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kracht is an advocate for community service. He has volunteered as a youth sports coach and serves as a mentor for aspiring superintendents. His leadership extends to various roles within the Missouri Association of School Administrators.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kracht to Hannibal Public Schools,” Blane Mundle, president of the Hannibal Public Schools Board of Education, said in a press release. “His extensive experience in district finances, managing building projects and fostering relationships with staff and the community will be invaluable as we continue to empower Hannibal students to thrive.”

Kracht will replace Susan Johnson, who is retiring after 33 years with the school district. Johnson had planned to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year, and the Hannibal School Board voted in January 2024 to hire former Quincy superintendent Roy Webb to replace her.

However, Webb changed his mind in early March 2024 and withdrew from the position, expressing concerns about the school district’s finances and the “climate” of the Hannibal School Board.

Johnson’s final year as the superintendent wasn’t without a little drama, either. The Hannibal School Board voted 5-2 in April for Johnson to continue as the superintendent for the 2024-25 school year. School Board members Jeff Evans and Scott Hawes voted against rehiring Johnson, claiming she engaged in insubordinate behavior.

The Hannibal School Board voted 4-3 in August to increase its operating tax levy by 14.8 percent to help alleviate a $3.3 million deficit that was projected in March.

An investigation of the Hannibal School District by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office completed on Oct. 18 revealed no indication of fraud or corruption. However, the summary noted the district is in a “weakened financial position.”

The Hannibal School Board voted 4-3 on Nov. 19 to close Eugene Field Elementary School and go with four elementary schools instead of five for the 2025-26 school year. Declining enrollment throughout the district and an imbalance in enrollment between the district’s five elementary schools were the primary factors driving the idea of redistricting.