Unified School District No. 232 on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, announced Mr. Kevin Thomas as the next principal of De Soto High School, effective July 1. The Board of Education formally approved Mr. Thomas’ appointment at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 7.

Mr. Thomas is currently the principal at Verrado High School in Buckeye, Arizona, a position he has held since 2023. The high school is part of the Agua Fria Union High School District.  Mr. Thomas is relocating to the Kansas City area because his wife accepted a position with the University of Kansas Medical Center. Mr. Thomas follows current principal Sam Ruff who will be the district’s Director of Post-Secondary Success beginning next school year.

“We are pleased to have Kevin joining the De Soto High School community,” said Dr. Cory Gibson, Superintendent of Schools. “Although we had three highly qualified candidates, it became clear to us through the interview and vetting process that he is the individual who will help DHS continue supporting our vision of maximizing the potential of every student. His current role as a head principal of a high school with 2,000 students has prepared him well.”

Mr. Thomas’ appointment follows an extensive search process conducted by the school district which included multiple applicants interested in the leadership position. “I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next principal of De Soto High School,” Mr. Thomas said.  “I look forward to serving the students, staff, and community by building on the established tradition of excellence.” Mr. Thomas’ wife was born and raised in the greater Kansas City area and they are thrilled to be coming back to her family home to establish their roots. He plans to start meeting the DHS community in the coming weeks in anticipation of his new role.

Mr. Thomas grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University where he earned a B.A. in Secondary Education, with a focus on economics, history, and psychology.  He attended the American College of Education in Indianapolis to earn his graduate degree in Educational Leadership.  Mr. Thomas has worked in education since 2010.  He taught a wide range of classes in social studies and mathematics, and participated in multiple club sponsorships.  He also participated in coaching for his entire career before moving into administration in 2021. 

Mr. Thomas moved to Arizona in 2017, where he began working in the Agua Fria Union High School District at Millennium High School.  He taught for three years while head coaching for two of them.  He finished his time at Millennium High School serving as the assistant principal of safety and security before moving to the role of assistant principal of curriculum and instruction. 

Mr. Thomas appreciates opportunities to embrace challenges and grow.  He played sports his whole life including basketball in college, loves to read and learn, enjoys philosophy, and truly enjoys golf and chess as hobbies due to their difficulty.  As a teacher and administrator, Mr. Thomas places a premium on students not taking their present-lives or futures for granted, and makes a conscious effort to allow for students to critically analyze what's ahead of them.  Mr. Thomas works to embody a culture of gratitude, respect, and enthusiasm in whatever he does.

De Soto High School is located in De Soto, KS, and part of Unified School District No. 232 in Johnson County, KS. The district welcomes more than 7,300 students at its 14 campuses with seven elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, Cedar Trails Exploration Center, and The Bridge. USD 232 encompasses an area of nearly 100 square miles in northwest Johnson County and draws from the communities of De Soto, Shawnee, Lenexa, a portion of Olathe, and unincorporated areas of the county.

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