Candidate for Kansas Senate - District 9

About

Ron is a native Kansan, raised on a farm near Fort Scott in Bourbon County. He attended elementary school near the family farm and graduated from Fort Scott High School where he met his wife, Linda. Linda and Ron have two sons who live in Gardner, Kansas and Liberty, Missouri with their families that include Ron and Linda’s five grandchildren.

Following graduation from Pittsburg State University in 1965, Ron and Linda moved to Olathe where Ron began his career as a Spanish teacher in the Olathe District Schools. By 1969 Ron had earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas and became the first assistant principal of Santa Fe Trail Junior High School. Ron followed his mentor Dr. Leland King as principal of SFT and served in that capacity four years. In 1978 Ron became Director of Personnel and subsequently Assistant Superintendent for the Olathe school district in addition to working on his doctorate degree at KU which he completed in 1983. Following the retirement of Superintendent Dr. M. L. Winters, Ron was selected as Superintendent of Schools in 1991 where he served until his retirement in 2005 ending a forty year career with the Olathe District Schools.

As Superintendent, Ron provided leadership to address the needs of a constantly growing community and school district. During his fourteen years as Superintendent, voters approved the first Local Option Budget provision and bond issues in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003. From 1991 to Ron’s retirement in 2005, the district constructed sixteen new schools including two high schools and fourteen other schools. With bond issue funds, the district began full scale utilization of technology for students across the district. In addition, many new programs were implemented to meet increased demands for student learning as well as No Child Left Behind. From leadership of staff and support from the community, the Board of Education approved implementation of 21st Century Programs at two high schools to address enrollment demands as well as provide students contemporary learning experiences. These special programs have been expanded and today serve as a model for other school districts throughout the country.

Through constant enrollment and facility growth, the school district remains the pride of the community serving Olathe, Lenexa, and Overland Park. Most importantly to taxpayers, the district has been designated twice by Standard and Poors as a leading model of cost effectiveness and efficiency for school districts in Kansas. In terms of dollars spent and student learning results, taxpayers can be proud of the ratings received by the Olathe school district both past and present.

Ron’s leadership in the metropolitan area was not limited to the school district but found in many community groups and associations. He has received almost every significant award issued by educational institutions, his professional association, and community based groups. Though too extensive to list here, these achievements and awards are listed in another section of the website. Ron learned much about his community involvement and responsibility from one of Olathe’s finest, R. R. Osborne. Dr. Osborne and Dr. Wimmer’s personal relationship can be evidenced by two bronze statutes located in the Olathe Education Center and the R. R. Osborne Instructional Resource Center. In addition to their personal relationship, R. R. Osborne was a major donor to the school district in supporting implementation of a special reading program as well as student scholarships. Although Dr. Osborne has passed away, Ron Wimmer remains especially honored in receiving the R. R. Osborne Lifetime Achievement Award from the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as a tribute to their relationship and shared contributions to Olathe.

With a career of involvement, commitment, and leadership, Ron is ready to provide another type of service to his community as a state senator. His campaign team and contributors include members of all political affiliations and individuals throughout the metro area. People who know Ron, or Dr. Wimmer as he is known by others, can be assured that he will provide independent decisions reflecting the best outcomes possible for constituents. Ron is not a stranger to the area nor is he an unknown quantity to most in Johnson County. Dr. Wimmer has earned the respect and admiration of all who know of his work and his success. Ron Wimmer always puts people first and will continue to do so as a state senator.