Eureka USD 389 announced last Friday, Jan. 30, the appointment of Shay Demlow as the district’s new superintendent, bringing more than 33 years of experience in public education to the role.
Demlow has dedicated her career to serving students, families, and educators across multiple states, with a strong emphasis on special education, leadership, and student services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., along with additional graduate credits leading to Building and District Leadership.
Her Kansas teaching licenses and certifications include K–6 Elementary Education, K–12 Adaptive and Functional Special Education, and PreK–12 Building and District Leadership.
Demlow’s professional background includes leadership and administra-tive roles in numerous school districts. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Special Education for Gardner Edgert o n School District. Her previous experience includes positions with Doniphan County Education Cooperative, Aurora Public Schools, Adams 14 School District, Mulvane Public Schools, Wichita USD 259, Winfield USD 465, MSD Washington Township, and several Indiana and Michigan school districts. She has worked as a classroom teacher, behavior specialist, building administrator and district-level director. In addition to K-12 education, Demlow has also taught part-time at Marion University in Indiana and, for the past seven years, has supervised student teachers and Transition to Teach candidates through Fort Hays State University.
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Outside of her professional career, Demlow values time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and attending craft and vendor fairs, where she often sells Red Aspen Nails, crossbody bags, and her homemade chunky blankets. A longtime 4-H member, she now serves as a judge at fairs across Kansas. She is also an avid sports fan, especially of hockey and football, and enjoys warm destinations with water, naming Puerto Vallarta as a favorite.
Demlow and her family maintain strong ties to Kansas. Her oldest son, Grandon Pickering, and his wife Cait live in Denver, Colo., where he serves as a Special Education Coordinator for Denver Public Schools. Her son Gavin Pickering and his wife Calista live in Mulvane and are parents to three sons—Weston, Easton, and Brookston.
“I am deeply honored and excited to serve as the next Superintendent of Eureka USD 389,” Demlow said. “Eureka is a special community with a strong tradition of pride, relationships, and commitment to students, and I am grateful to the Board of Education for the trust they have placed in me. I believe schools are at their best when students are known, supported, and challenged, and when educators are empowered to do their best work.”
Demlow added that she looks forward to partnering with staff, families, students, and the broader Eureka community to build on the district’s strengths and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed now and in the future.
She plans to visit Eureka throughout the coming months and will begin her new role on July 1.
