Witt to Take the Reins at Ozark High School

 

The Ozark Board of Education, at its May 28 work session, voted for Dr. Phillip Witt to lead Ozark High School as principal for the 2024-25 school year. Witt is replacing Dr. Jeremy Brownfield, who is transitioning to the Lebanon School District.

"I am thrilled to join the outstanding team at Ozark High School and contribute to the great things going on in the building,” Witt said. “I look forward to meeting all the students and collaborating with the staff to continue the exceptional things they do for students everyday both in and out of the classroom.” 

Witt has served as vice president for Career and Technical Education at Crowder College in Neosho since 2018 where he oversees the divisions of CTE, agriculture, allied health, truck driving, training and development solutions, and the secondary education center. 

Ozark Executive Director of Secondary Learning Gerald Chambers said Witt’s experience at Crowder College will be a bridge for the Academies model the District offers at OHS. 

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Phillip Witt to Ozark,” Chambers said. “He comes to us with 12 years of valuable experience in higher education. His knowledge and experience in the Career and Technical Education field will help us continue to move our Academies in the right direction for our students. We look forward to the new experiences and opportunities he will provide for our students and staff.”

Witt has a bachelor’s in agriculture education and a master’s in secondary administration. He obtained his doctorate in teacher education in 2012 from Texas Tech University and his education specialist degree in school administration from William Woods University in 2018. Before joining Crowder College, Witt worked in the Nevada School District, Texas Tech University, as well as Purdy and Pierce City high schools, with a total of nearly 20 years in education.  

“The Academy model at Ozark is really amazing,” Witt said. “I am eager to bring my experience from career centers and community colleges to the table and see what we can achieve together.” 

Brownfield, who has been OHS principal since 2017, is going to the Lebanon School District where he will serve as assistant superintendent of human services and quality improvement. 
Brownfield has been an Ozark Tiger for 17 years. 

“Ozark High School is a great place, and it is because of all of you,” Brownfield said in a message to OHS staff. “Day in and day out you give so much to our students and that is why it makes it so easy for me to leave my kids here, I know they are in good hands. You made my job easy. Serving as principal the last seven years has been the greatest honor of my life and nothing professionally will ever top it.”

Chambers said he’s grateful for Brownfield’s time as an Ozark Tiger. 

“I greatly appreciate the work and dedication Dr. Brownfield has poured into this District for 17 years,” he said. “We originally both coached football together and also taught shop together. I was fortunate enough to get to spend the last six years working with him in an administrative capacity. I am very excited for him as he moves upward in his professional career.”

Witt will take on the new role beginning July 1, 2024.