SJSD appoints new Director of Student Services

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph School District Board of Education approved the appointment of a new Director of Student Services ahead of Shannon Nolte's retirement in June.

Leah Richardson will assume the role for the 2026-2027 school year on July 1, 2026, and has worked for the district in numerous roles since 2005.

She taught for nine years at Hall and Hyde Elementary Schools before becoming an administrative intern in 2014.

Richardson has served in multiple leadership roles over the last 12 years, including Administrative Intern at Lindbergh, Coleman, Hosea and Edison Elementary Schools; Assistant Principal at Oak Grove Elementary, Principal at Humboldt and Lindbergh Elementary; and Principal at Webster Learning Center.

Richardson earned her Ph.D. in Education Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Nebraska. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri Western State University.

"I'm proud to call St. Joseph, Missouri home, where my husband and I were both raised and where we have built our lives together," said Richardson. "We are the parents of two children who are now grown and contributing members of our local community, which brings us a great sense of pride. As a graduate of the St. Joseph School District and coming from a family of educators, my roots in education and this community run deep. I truly love St. Joseph, and I am passionate about seeing it thrive. I am committed to giving back and doing my part to help make our community an exceptional place for all students and families."

Shannon Nolte, the current Director of Student Services, has worked at the St. Joseph School District since 2020.

Nolte's retirement begins June 30.