Features / People

Jeffery Kuhns, who is currently in his second year as the West Perry superintendent looks to continue making an impact on those in the school and community. Kuhns has been in education for 34 years, and has recently looked to put his knowledge and leadership skills to the test with what he thought was a challenge at West Perry. Kuhns was able to take this position because of his experience, support from his family, and courageous leadership skills he has developed. 

Kuhns has been both a teacher and a principal in his past positions, both of which were for schools in Perry County. He also has lived in Perry County for about 30 years. When asked about something that he has learned from those positions and brought to West Perry he said, “ Patience for one. I have a lot of philosophies I have developed, one of which being just caring for people. I think that a good leader is a servant leader.” 

Leadership is something Kuhns has become very passionate about over the years. He is most interested in why some people become leaders and others do not. He also continuously looks for how he is able to pass down leadership lessons to other people. Kuhns shared that on his drives to work, he “reads a lot, and listens to a lot of podcasts. I listen to a lot of books on tape”.  For 14 years, he walked to work, so now he takes the time to expand his knowledge on what he is passionate about. 

As for accomplishments in his time here at West Perry, Kuhns has already been positively recognized by important members of the community. Kuhns says, “ The feedback that I am getting from parents and teachers with the change in the climate in the building. It seems like people and teachers are happier to be here.” He also declared his excitement for a new parent community advisors group, which has not quite yet taken off. 

While not working, Kuhns enjoys running to “keep my sanity”, he said. He has run for many years, and he also enjoys hiking. Kuhns has a wife and two daughters. He also likes to bike with his wife when he gets the opportunity. They recently purchased a huge camper, and as a retirement plan Kuhns would like to take the camper and travel to the West Coast, somewhere he has never been. 

There is still a lot of work to be done, but Kuhns has already begun to make a positive impact on West Perry. Not only is he making an impact on the high school, but on the 325 square miles of this district. Kuhns will continue to bring his learned leadership skills to work everyday in hopes that he can pass them down to others, while continuing to do the best he can do.