Rooted in Relationships, Focused on the Future: Meet ESSD’s New Leaders
Excelsior Springs, Mo. – The Excelsior Springs School District is entering the 2025–2026 school year with new leadership in three key roles: Dr. Mark Bullimore as Superintendent, Scott Guilkey as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations, and Dr. Laura Hartman as Principal of Excelsior Springs High School. Each brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and a strong commitment to community-centered education. From Bullimore’s decades of service within the district to Guilkey and Hartman’s fresh perspectives from nearby districts, all three leaders are focused on strengthening culture, supporting staff, and helping every student thrive.
Dr. Mark Bullimore: A Homegrown Leader with a Vision for Growth
After more than two decades of service to Excelsior Springs students, staff, and families, Dr. Mark Bullimore is stepping into his new role as Superintendent of the Excelsior Springs School District. A familiar face and steady presence in the community, Dr. Bullimore brings deep institutional knowledge, a heart for servant leadership, and a strong vision for building culture and academic growth.
“This was my first teaching job out of college, and I’ve been here ever since,” Bullimore said. “I tell people I wasn’t born here, but I was professionally raised in Excelsior Springs.”
Over his 21-year career in the district, Bullimore has worn many hats, from elementary teacher and coach to career center director, middle school principal, and, most recently, Deputy Superintendent. His extensive experience gives him a broad view of the district’s needs, strengths, and opportunities.
“I’ve painted the hallways, coached on the sidelines, and worked side-by-side with students, staff, and families. That perspective helps when someone brings a concern to the table. I may not know everything, but I’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t, and I’m always willing to figure it out together.”
Dr. Bullimore’s approach to leadership is rooted in authenticity, transparency, and collaboration. He believes in building strong relationships not only within schools but also between the district and the larger community. “What you see is what you get,” he said. “I’m going to be upfront with people. Even if it’s not always what they want to hear, they’ll know it’s honest.”
His priorities for the coming year focus on two key goals: strengthening culture and relentlessly pursuing academic improvement and student growth. “We can’t do hard things or ask others to take risks unless they feel supported. Culture matters, in our classrooms, between buildings, and in our relationships with the community.”
Bullimore also emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for new and veteran teachers alike. With rising challenges in teacher recruitment and retention, he wants Excelsior Springs to be a place where educators feel encouraged to grow, even through failure. “We’re setting up guardrails and walking the road with them. It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about doing it together.”
As shifting state and national education policies present new hurdles, Dr. Bullimore is focused on renewing the district’s strategic plan and involving the community in setting clear, shared priorities. “We don’t know what public education will look like in five or ten years, but we can prepare. The key is flexibility, responsiveness, and staying rooted in what’s best for our students.”
Ultimately, Bullimore views this role not as a job, but as a service. “My own kids go to school here. I live here. I go to the grocery store here. I don’t make decisions from far away. I make them as a neighbor, a parent, and someone who truly wants what’s best for this community.”
He invites anyone, staff, parents, or community members, to reach out, grab a coffee, or stop by his office. “My door is always open. I’m here to listen, learn, and serve.”
Scott Guilkey: Strengthening Systems and Supporting Staff
Excelsior Springs School District is welcoming a new face to its central office this year, as longtime educator and administrator Scott Guilkey steps into the role of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations.
With a heart for service, a head for systems, and a passion for people, Guilkey brings both experience and empathy to the job, and he’s no stranger to the region. A Lawson native, Guilkey most recently served as Superintendent at Orrick School District and is excited to join a team with a strong culture and shared commitment to student success.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Guilkey said. “There are great people in this district, from central office to building administrators to teachers, and I feel blessed to be part of it.”
Guilkey’s professional journey has taken him from the classroom to administration in both small and large districts across the state. After starting his teaching career in Ozark and North Kansas City, he stepped into leadership roles in Braymer and Orrick, where he developed an understanding of school operations, staffing needs, and community dynamics.
In his new role, Guilkey will focus on strengthening the systems that support students and staff , including transportation, food service, school safety, and especially personnel. “It’s all about human capital,” he said. “The environment we create for our educators directly impacts student success. We have to make Excelsior a place where people want to teach and stay.”
Teacher retention, recruitment, and morale are high on his list of priorities. With teaching shortages affecting districts statewide and fewer students entering education programs, Guilkey hopes to focus on what the district can control: building a supportive, transparent, and responsive culture for educators.
“It’s about doing everything we can internally to make teachers feel valued and supported,” he said. “When teachers feel respected by their school and their community, they’re more likely to stay, even when there are opportunities elsewhere.”
Guilkey and his wife, Jaci, an elementary school counselor, have fostered and adopted several children, along with their biological children, making family and community deeply personal priorities. Their lived experience with foster care has given them insight into the challenges facing today’s youth and the vital role that caring adults and strong schools play.
While stepping back from the helm of a small district, Guilkey says he’s eager to focus more deeply on specific responsibilities. “In smaller districts, you have to wear every hat,” he said. “I’m excited to really dig in and become an expert in the areas I now oversee, and to support this district from behind the scenes in a meaningful way.”
Guilkey’s new colleagues have already made an impression. “The administrative team here is outstanding,” he said. “Everyone I’ve met is student-focused, committed, and collaborative. I’m grateful to join a team like this.”
Whether managing systems, reviewing leave policies, or looking for creative ways to support staff, Guilkey is focused on helping the district run smoothly and on building a culture that lifts people up.
“We want our teachers and staff to know that they matter. And we want our community to see the amazing things happening in our schools every day.”
Dr. Laura Hartman: Building Relationships, One Student at a Time
Excelsior Springs High School is starting the 2025–2026 school year with new leadership and fresh energy, as Dr. Laura Hartman steps into her role as principal. With nearly two decades of experience in education and a strong belief in building relationships, Hartman brings a student-centered approach and deep commitment to community to her new position.
Hartman says it didn’t take long to recognize how special Excelsior Springs is. From her earliest visits, she noticed a genuine spirit of connection among staff, students, and families alike. “People know each other here. They care about their students and their schools, and that’s the kind of place I want to be,” she said.
Hartman began her career in 2005 as a high school English teacher and later served as an assistant principal in Liberty and Kearney for ten years. A self-described “people person,” she values authenticity and open communication with students, staff, and families. Her decision to pursue the head principal role came at a time when both her children, now in high school, were old enough for her to fully embrace the demands of the position.
“I’m very much a relationship-based leader,” she said. “Whether it’s a student figuring out their next step after graduation, or a teacher reflecting on classroom strategies, I want to be present and involved.”
Her early focus at Excelsior Springs includes expanding student support systems and continuing academic growth. One area of emphasis will be enhancing the school’s data teaming model, an approach where teachers work collaboratively to examine student progress and identify areas of need and growth. She’s also enthusiastic about the school’s new Flex Program, which offers alternative learning pathways for students who may benefit from different approaches.
“I believe we can meet every student where they are, whether they’re excelling or struggling, and help them grow,” Hartman said. “Programs like Flex give us tools to do just that.”
Though new to the district, Hartman is already becoming a familiar face in town. From attending school events to enjoying local favorites like Ray’s Diner, Wabash BBQ, and the Opportunity Café, she’s embracing the Excelsior Springs community in and out of school hours. “It’s important to me that families know who I am. My door is always open, whether it’s a parent with a question or a student who needs support.”
She also hopes to build strong partnerships with community organizations. She is passionate about providing students with real-world opportunities to learn and grow, whether through internships, creative arts, or college and career planning. “I love watching students discover who they are and what they’re capable of.”
With her husband, a choir teacher at Liberty North, and their two teenagers at home, Hartman understands the importance of balancing academics, activities, and well-being. It’s that perspective, as an educator, administrator, and parent, that drives her work.
Hartman’s leadership philosophy centers on connection, and she’s eager to strengthen the already strong ties between the high school and the broader Excelsior Springs community. Whether it’s through one-on-one conversations with staff, attending local events, or simply being present in the hallways, she’s committed to being a visible and approachable leader. “I’m really excited to be here… it just seems like a very great, authentic community, and I’m very excited to be a part of it,” she said.
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