After nine years at Marysville, Kan., Vernon Golladay has moved to Auburn as the new sixth through 12th grade principal. Golladay succeeds Kevin Reiman, who became superintendent of Auburn Public Schools Friday, July 1.

Golladay, who assumed his principal duties Monday, Aug. 1, said that he has worked in his office to get a little bit of a head start to prepare for the 2011-2012 school year, which begins Thursday, Aug. 18. He said that he has become familiar with Auburn Public Schools’ handbooks and getting organized to get the new school year started.
“I’ve tried to meet as many people as I can. I have tried to get some names and some faces together. One of the biggest challenges in the first couple of months will be to meet as many people and to get as comfortable with as many people as possible. You want people to feel like they can talk to you. You want to be a part of the community and the good things that are going on,” Golladay said.
“Our hope is that we give all of the students the best educational experience possible. Auburn Public Schools has a reputation as a great school. I’m here to keep working to make that better. Hopefully, the staff and I will make improvements as time goes on and the kids will benefit from that,” he said was a goal as sixth through 12th grade principal.
Opportunities Golladay said that he saw in his new position are for the students to grow up in a community like Auburn and to find a community where they can excel.
“I really believe that all kids can learn, and as educators we need to find ways to help them accomplish their goals,” Golladay said is his educational philosophy.
The past three years, Golladay was associate principal and athletic director at Marysville, Kan. The previous six years at Marysville, he taught English and was boys’ basketball coach. Before that, Golladay taught English and coached at Sabetha, Kan.
He said that a combination of factors led him to pursue an education career.
“Teachers and coaches affected my life in a positive way. There’s no better feeling than to see people grow and mature and that you’ve done some things to help them along the way,” Golladay said.
Golladay grew up at Osborne, Kan. He has a bachelor of science degree in education from Kansas State University and a masters degree from Baker University at Baldwin City, Kan.
His wife, Gretchen, is the new Auburn Middle School guidance counselor. They have three daughters. Sydney will be a fourth grader. Karley will be a second grader. Erin, age 3, will start preschool. The family has moved to Auburn.
“We love it here. It’s a great community. We’re excited to get going. People here have been good about helping and very friendly. It’s been a good experience,” Golladay said.