Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson Announces Retirement

Johnny Watson, the athletic director at Little Rock Christian Academy for 21 years, announced his retirement, with Dr. Eric Cohu named as his successor starting in summer 2026. Watson’s legacy includes overseeing major athletic facility projects and leading the school to numerous conference and state championships. In Kansas, Education Commissioner Randy Watson, who has served since 2014, declared his intention to retire but will remain in office until a successor is appointed. Watson was praised for bringing stability to the Kansas State Board of Education and for initiatives to improve literacy, accreditation systems, and pathways for student success. His tenure included advocacy for workplace skills alongside academics, as well as efforts to raise graduation rates and support technical education. Watson faced controversy in 2022 for insensitive remarks about Native Americans but apologized and continued his work, visiting all 286 school districts multiple times during his service.