Nashua’s New School Superintendent Not Qualified To Work In NH

NASHUA, NH — The Nashua Board of Education is rescinding its offer to its new school superintendent after finding out he was not qualified to be a superintendent in New Hampshire.

Jennifer Bishop, the president of the board, sent a letter to school district parents on Tuesday saying while the board was “pleased” to select Stephen Linkous, who previously worked in schools in Kansas and was certified there, he was not qualified to work in the state.

“The search consultants assumed there is reciprocity between Kansas and New Hampshire,” she said. “That assumption proved to be incorrect and Mr. Linkous is unable to be certified in New Hampshire. Sadly, Mr. Linkous will be unable to serve as our new superintendent.”

Linkous earned his superintendent's licensure in Kansas at Wichita State University last year, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has a Master of Arts in general educational leadership and administration from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Park University in Parkville, Missouri. Linkous was also an assistant superintendent in Phoenix, Arizona, for a little less than a year and a half.

School superintendents are one position in the alternative pathways sector in New Hampshire that allows a candidate to grow into the position while also continuing schooling and testing — because qualified applicants are badly needed in the state. It is unknown why Linkous did not qualify for the program.

An email requesting information about the specifics of the program has been sent to the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Bishop said the board was “very impressed” with Linkous. He was chosen over many more qualified candidates due to his ability to listen, she said in February. Parents, in surveys, also said they wanted someone who was early in their career, looking to settle into the district and someone with energy. Linkous had already begun transitioning into the position by visiting Nashua, and meeting with members of the community, board members, as well as the district’s leadership team, Bishop said.

“He did an excellent job of learning about the community and school district,” she said.

Bishop said the board was wishing Linkous well and was confident he would make an excellent superintendent.

“He has our appreciation for his efforts on behalf of the students of Nashua,” she added.

Bishop said the next step for the board was to find an interim superintendent and then, start the process over again.

Linkous was one of two bilingual educators who were finalists for the Adams County School District school superintendent in Colorado in May 2021.

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