A retired superintendent who led Olathe USD 233 for 14 years will be named interim superintendent of De Soto USD 232 this week.

During a special meeting Thursday, the USD 232 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Wimmer as superintendent.

Superintendent Sharon Zoellner resigned from her post April 24 to become superintendent for Louisburg USD 416. Her contract expires June 30.

In Louisburg, Zoellner will succeed Rick Doll, who recently accepted a position as superintendent in the Lawrence school district.

Wimmer will serve as interim as the board searches for a permanent superintendent. “On behalf of the Board of Education, we are honored to have Ron Wimmer step in and provide accomplished and strategic leadership for our school system,” Don Clark, the board’s vice president, said in a news release. “He brings significant experience to our community at a time when it is needed most.”

Wimmer served as superintendent in the Olathe School District for 14 years before retiring in 2005.

During that time, enrollment grew by nearly 600 students a year, making Olathe the third-largest district in the state. Enrollment in the De Soto has increased by more than 1,000 in the last three years.

“My role as interim superintendent will be to assist the board with the search process, while at the same time closing the gap between where the district is now and where it wants to be in the future,” Wimmer said.

Beginning July 1, Wimmer will be under a $166,000 contract that includes $500 per month for health and dental coverage, said Alvie Cater, USD 232 director of community relations.

In the meantime, Wimmer will be paid on a pro-rated basis.