Kearney Public Schools (KPS) has announced leadership transitions that will take effect at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.
- Amber Lewis, currently principal at Horizon Middle School, has been named the next principal of Kearney High School.
- William Schmidt (Bill), currently assistant principal at Horizon Middle School, will step into the role of principal at Horizon.
- Jeff Ganz, currently principal at Kearney High School, will transition to assistant principal at Horizon Middle School.
“Building leadership is the cornerstone of excellence in our schools and these changes will give our leaders new opportunities and challenges,” said Dr. Jason Mundorf, superintendent of Kearney Public Schools. “Amber, Bill, and Jeff each bring unique strengths, deep experience, and a student-first mindset. This thoughtful alignment allows us to support both schools with proven leadership while continuing to build strong teams that serve students, families, and staff at the highest level.”
Amber Lewis has served as principal of Horizon Middle School since the 2022-23 school year, where she has focused on student achievement, staff collaboration, and a positive, supportive school culture. Prior to her role as principal, Lewis was Assistant Principal at Horizon since 2019 and prior to that, served as a Social Studies teacher at Kearney High School for ten years, earning a reputation for her strong relationships with students, staff, and families. As principal of Kearney High School, she will lead one of Nebraska’s largest high schools, supporting a wide range of academic, extracurricular, and student support programs.
“Mrs. Lewis will be an outstanding principal at Kearney High School,” stated Mundorf. “She was a terrific teacher in that building who has a deep understanding of Kearney High School. She has proven herself to be a committed educator with a focus on kids. She excels at building relationships and our KHS students and staff will benefit from her strong leadership skills.”
Bill Schmidt has served as assistant principal at Horizon Middle School since 2022, where he has worked closely with students, teachers, and families to support academic success and student behavior systems. Schmidt brings classroom experience and administrative leadership to the principal role, along with a deep understanding of Horizon’s team-based middle school structure and culture.
“We are excited for Mr. Schmidt to step into the role of principal at Horizon Middle School,” said Mundorf. “He has proven himself to be deeply committed to supporting students as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and he brings a strong passion for leading and supporting the outstanding staff at Horizon.”
Jeff Ganz has served as principal of Kearney High School, providing steady leadership for the school’s academic programs, student activities, and overall operations. With extensive experience in secondary education and administration, Ganz will bring valuable perspective to Horizon Middle School as assistant principal, supporting students and staff during a key developmental stage.
Mundorf stated, “Jeff Ganz has a unique ability to connect with students and support them during critical points in their educational journey. Moving Jeff to Horizon Middle School allows us to leverage his strengths where they are most needed, working closely with students, supporting staff, and helping guide young learners through an important and formative stage of development. We appreciate the 5 years of leadership he provided at Kearney High School and we are confident he be an asset to Mr. Schmidt, the Horizon staff, and school community”
Kearney Public Schools is confident these leadership transitions will strengthen both school communities and support continued growth and success across the district.
