Josh Kindler will be the new principal at Pioneer Ridge Middle School for the 2023-24 school year.

His first day will be July 1.

The current principal John McIntire is retiring at the end of the year after a 33 year career in education.

New principal Kindler is currently the assistant principal. He started his education career as a fifth grade teacher in the Shawnee Heights School District and then an eighth grade science teacher in the DeSoto School District.

“I am excited to continue working with the outstanding students, staff and families from the Pioneer Ridge and Gardner and Edgerton communities,” Kindler said.

Dr. Brian Huff, superintendent, said the district is extremely proud and excited that Kindler will serve as the new principal.

“Josh possesses a strong background in leadership and will continue to serve the District and our students extremely well,” he said. “We are thankful that Mr. Kindler already has experiencing working with the Pioneer Ridge community and will be able to seamlessly transition into his new role.”

Kindler was also a learning coach before serving as the associate principal at Mill Creek Middle School. He was then the principal of Mill Creek Middle School in 2016. He served as a head and assistant coach for many USD 232 teams and has been a member of various school and district committees throughout his career.

Kindler has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Washburn University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. He is a Gardner resident, married to Jennifer Kindler and they have three children. Kindler has been a volunteer coach for various sports in the Gardner Parks and Rec program.