November 8, 2021
The Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) announced the selection of Dr. Curtis Cain, Superintendent of the Wentzville School District, as the 2022 Missouri Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Cain was honored during the MSBA/MASA Annual Fall Conference on Nov. 6 and will be recognized during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education in February 2022 for his state selection.
Dr. Cain has served as Superintendent of the Wentzville School District (WSD) since 2013 and is responsible for the educational performance and wellbeing of more than 17,300 students and 2,600 staff members. Dr. Cain is the current president of the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) and serves on the Missouri Commissioner of Education Advisory Council, the Kansas/Missouri Superintendent Leadership Forum Advisory Board, and the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Constitutional Committee, among others. In 2018, Dr. Cain completed the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent Certification Program.
MASA Executive Director Doug Hayter stated, “Dr. Cain is personable, accessible, and well-respected in Missouri by his colleagues and peers. As the leader of the fastest-growing school district in the state of Missouri, Dr. Cain has spearheaded avenues for growth in facilities, staffing, and communication. He recognizes and continues to address disparities in the achievement gap, providing leadership for learning in the Wentzville School District. The Missouri Association of School Administrators is pleased to honor Dr. Cain as the 2022 Missouri Superintendent of the Year.”
In 2000, the WSD served approximately 6,000 students; today, there are well over 17,300 students in the district. The cumulative student growth experienced by the district only partially accounts for the expansion of the district profile. Academically, the WSD also experienced improvement and the broadening of efforts in meeting the needs of students. Challenges presented due to the achievement gap are mitigated through goals in building school improvement plans and embedded into the principal evaluation process. Dr. Cain and his educators believe in meeting the instructional needs of the most diverse generation this country has ever seen.
Dr. Cain shared, “We’ve purposefully brought diverse opinions to the table. I have a Superintendent’s Roundtable which brings PreK-12 parent representatives from each school as well as community members to the table to converse with and inform me on critical issues in our school and the greater community.” Cain also works with faith-based partners to meet student needs and collaborates with first responders on community projects. Internal communication efforts reinforce student learning through the Faculty Advisory Committee and a Student Advisory Committee, where sharing a voice is critical and encourages a safe and supportive environment for students.
Adding more than 10,000 students in the last two decades also calls for a significant amount of construction. In the past 30 years, 26 ballot initiatives have been offered to voters. During Dr. Cain’s tenure, three of the four initiatives have passed. WSD has added more than 1.25 million square feet of instructional space in nine years, with another 200,000 coming by the end of June 2022. Funding is essential in providing the staff, resources, experiences, and space needed for students to learn. The ongoing support of the WSD is based on consistent and strategic community involvement efforts.
Dr. Cain previously served as the Interim Superintendent for the WSD. Before his tenure in Wentzville, he was the Associate Superintendent of Education Services at Shawnee Mission School District and the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at Park Hill School District. Dr. Cain was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended Milwaukee Public Schools. He and his wife, Tori, have two children, Kailey and Kaden.
About MASA
The Missouri Association of School Administrators is the statewide association of public school superintendents and central office administrators. MASA develops and supports effective public school leaders who positively impact the lives of Missouri students.
