The Elkhorn Public Schools (EPS) Board of Education has named Dr. Don Pechous, current EPS executive director of personnel, as superintendent-elect. In addition to his current role and responsibilities, Dr. Pechous will utilize the 2026-27 school year as an opportunity to work collaboratively with current Superintendent Dr. Bary Habrock and the EPS Board of Education in preparation for the upcoming transition.
EPS school boards have long valued succession planning focused on elevating qualified staff and stable leadership transitions for continuity. This practice dates back decades to the naming of former Superintendent Carl White, EPS science teacher turned superintendent, and continued with successive EPS superintendents Dr. Roger Breed, Steve Baker and Dr. Bary Habrock, who all transitioned from assistant superintendent roles within the district. Current EPS Board President Amy Parks states, “A main task of the Board of Education is to identify the best leader for our school district, and the outcome of our historical process of transitioning internal EPS leaders into superintendent roles is directly reflected in the district’s long-standing reputation as one of the highest performing school districts in Nebraska. After reviewing interested and highly qualified internal candidates, the Board of Education determined that Dr. Pechous brings the professional experience and in-depth district knowledge necessary to successfully lead EPS into the future.”
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The timing, according to Superintendent Habrock, is ideal for a transition. “A current slowing of enrollment growth after decades of rapid expansion, and the upcoming completion of the final construction projects associated with the 2022 bond issue provide the space for a transition,” he says.
For Habrock, “It has been a tremendous honor to serve the Elkhorn Public Schools since 1999. My wife, Ronda, and I are the proud parents of three Elkhorn Public Schools graduates, which helps us keenly understand the importance of stable Board and executive leadership, and the outcomes associated with being part of a supportive community that prioritizes education.” “I’ve been honored to work alongside talented and well-trained principals, teachers and support staff at all levels, who work side by side with families to successfully maintain the Elkhorn Public Schools’ reputation as a truly special place. Family is a core value, and as I look to July 2027, I’ll be ready to turn more attention to my family,” Habrock says.
With over 20 years of experience in Elkhorn Public Schools and nearly 30 total years in education, Dr. Pechous is well prepared to serve the EPS community as superintendent. Beginning as a fifth grade teacher at Spring Ridge Elementary School in 2001, Dr. Pechous worked his way to principal at both Westridge and Spring Ridge elementary schools, followed by a move to director of personnel in 2013, and finally his current role of executive director of personnel in 2017. “EPS has been an integral part of not only my professional life, but also personally,” Dr. Pechous states. “In addition to having spent the majority of my career in EPS, my wife, Nicki, and I chose Elkhorn as the place we wanted to raise and educate our children, so our family has experienced firsthand what makes Elkhorn special,” he says.
Dr. Pechous is looking forward to preparing to transition to superintendent in July 2027 as he partners with Dr. Habrock and the Board of Education to ensure a smooth transition. “I am excited for this opportunity and incredibly grateful for the trust the Board has placed in me. I care deeply about our students, families, staff and community, and I can’t wait to be part of the district’s future story of continued excellence,” he states.
