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Crossroads Charter Schools

Crossroads Charter Schools

Superintendent Updates

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Superintendent Updates

Crossroads Charter Schools is undergoing a planned leadership transition as Superintendent Tysie McDowell prepares for retirement, effective June 30, 2026. A national search for the next superintendent is currently underway. A new leader will be named, with onboarding and shadowing beginning in Spring 2026. The new superintendent will assume full responsibilities on July 1, 2026.

SUPERINTENDENT TRANSITION TIMELINE

MAY 16, 2025

Public announcement of transition and launch of superintendent search.

SUMMER 2025

Public-facing job description posted and applications accepted.

FALL 2025

Candidate screening and stakeholder updates.

WINTER 2025/26

New superintendent selected and offer extended.

SPRING 2026

Community engagement and onboarding.

JULY 1, 2026

Full transition to new superintendent.

Crossroads Charter Schools Names Dr. Danielle Miles as Superintendent and Dr. Keith Jones as Assistant Superintendent

Kansas City, MO — January 28, 2026 — Crossroads Charter Schools has named Dr. Danielle Miles as Superintendent and Dr. Keith Jones as Assistant Superintendent. Both leaders will officially begin their roles on July 1, 2026.

The appointments reflect a clear decision to invest in steady leadership, strong systems, and great classrooms — all at the same time.

Dr. Danielle Miles brings more than two decades of experience in public education, across both district and charter schools. She spent one year as the Director of Leadership and the past four years as Executive Director of Citizens of the World Charter School. A Kansas City native, she is known for steady leadership, strong school culture, and a deep commitment to whole-child education.

Dr. Keith Jones brings extensive instructional leadership experience across middle and high school settings, most recently serving as principal of North Kansas City High School. He is widely respected for his student-centered approach, focus on school culture, and commitment to college and career readiness.

“We wanted to be bold in our approach to new leadership,” said Spark Bookhart, Crossroads board president. 

Together, Dr. Miles and Dr. Jones form a leadership team designed to balance system-wide leadership with a strong academic focus — positioning Crossroads schools to remain stable while continuing to improve outcomes for students.

“As Crossroads enters its next chapter, I have great confidence in this leadership team,” said Tysie McDowell, Crossroads co-founder and Superintendent. “Dr. Miles and Dr. Jones bring complementary strengths that balance strategy and instruction while keeping students and staff at the center.”

Between now and July 1, there will be no changes to day-to-day instruction, school programming, or operations. Crossroads schools will continue their work as planned, with students, staff, and families at the center.

Additional information about the transition and opportunities to connect with the new leadership team will be shared in the coming months.

Now Interviewing Candidates for the Next Superintendent

Kansas City, MO — November 6, 2025

Dear Crossroads Family,

Every great school story begins with listening.

Over the past month, we’ve done just that. Seventy-nine (79) survey participants and more than thirty (30) focus-group voices — teachers, staff, students, and instructional leaders — came together to share what matters most in Crossroads’ next superintendent.

Three truths rose to the surface:

  1. Keep students at the center. Every decision should build on our strong academic foundation so all students thrive — prepared for high school, college, career, and life.
  1. Champion our people. Belonging, rigor, and joy belong in every classroom. When students and staff thrive together, everyone becomes
  1. Lead with heart and vision. Our next superintendent must be visible, relational, and bold — a leader who sees Kansas City itself as a classroom, a true

These themes don’t just describe who we’re looking for. Rather, they describe who we already are.

Candidate interviews are now underway, and we’ll continue to share updates as the process moves forward.

Thank you for your partnership, your voice, and your belief in what’s possible when a city stands behind its students.

Built for What’s Next.

For every student,

Crossroads Charter Schools

Students reading books at their desks
Help Choose Crossroads’ Next Superintendent

Kansas City, MO — October 1, 2025 

Dear Crossroads Community,

In May, we shared that Superintendent of Schools Tysie McDowell will be stepping down after years of service to Crossroads. Now, as we search for our next leader, we want to hear from you – our families, alumni, partners, and neighbors.

What qualities matter most in our next superintendent? Your voice will help guide this decision and ensure Crossroads has a leader who builds on our vision of Community as Our Campus.

Superintendent of Schools Input Survey link

Prefer Spanish? Complete the survey in Spanish — Click here
¿Prefiere español? Complete la encuesta en español — Haga clic aquí

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts, including any interview questions you’d like us to ask candidates.

The application has also relaunched. Please share it with your networks to help spread the word.

At Crossroads, we believe every student should thrive, be Pro Ready for life, and learn in a city where the community is our campus. We are seeking a leader Built for What’s Next.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

For every student,

Crossroads Charter Schools

Students in a classroom studying
Crossroad Establishes Superintendent Timeline

Kansas City, MO — September 18, 2025

Crossroads is stepping into a new chapter. To guide this work, the Board of Directors has partnered with Daniels Talent Solutions, a national executive search firm with deep experience in K–12 leadership, to lead the search for our next Superintendent of Schools.

Here is the timeline we are following:

  • By end of September: Launch with a selection committee of board, staff, families, and community members
  • By early October: Re-release the superintendent application and begin candidate engagement
  • By mid-January: Complete candidate interviews
  • By end of January: Approve the new superintendent

This process allows us to move with care, not speed, so we can find the right leader for Crossroads.

What makes this search different is what makes Crossroads different. We believe every student should thrive. We believe students should graduate Be Pro Ready — ready for life, not just tests. We believe the city itself is our classroom — Community as Our Campus. And we believe Crossroads must always be Built for What’s Next.

We will continue to provide updates and invite engagement from staff, families, and community members throughout the process. Thank you for standing with us as we choose the leader who will carry this promise forward.

For every student,
Crossroads Charter Schools