Central Office Leadership

Dr. Matt Pearce

Dr. Matt Pearce, Superintendent

Dr. Matt Pearce is serving in his sixth year as Superintendent of the Republic School District after serving as Assistant Superintendent for the previous seven years. The 2025-2026 school year will be Dr. Pearce’s 30th working in public schools. Prior to joining the Republic team Dr. Pearce served as the Principal of Glendale High School and Cherokee Middle School within the Springfield Public Schools district. Additionally, Dr. Pearce served as an Assistant Principal at Carver Middle School and Hillcrest High School within SPS. His career began as a social studies teacher and coach at Kickapoo High School teaching economics and government, also within the SPS system. 

Dr. Pearce and his wife Yvette have been married for 30 years and live in the Republic community. They have three children. Logan (2016) and Emma (2020) are Republic High School graduates, while Audrey will be in the tenth grade this school year. He and his family love working, learning, growing and serving in the Republic community. Serving the students, staff and community of Republic is both an honor and a privilege for Dr. Pearce.

In addition to serving as Superintendent, Dr. Pearce serves as the Past Chair of the Midwest Affiliate Board of the American Heart Association which encompasses thirteen states throughout the midwest, and as the Chair of the national superintendent executive council for the AHA. Closer to home Dr. Pearce serves on the local Care to Learn board and is on the executive board of the Missouri Educators Trust, which oversees health insurance for more than 85 school districts across the state. Finally, Dr. Pearce serves on multiple committees helping the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) with educational priorities across the state of Missouri.  Dr. Pearce earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri (2007), a Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri State University (2001), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri (1993)

The Republic School District will continue to focus on further development of partnerships with the City of Republic and local organizations which maximize resources to better serve the youth and the community. Additionally, the District will continue to focus on achieving our mission of “preparing each student for future excellence through a safe educational environment” so that Republic children of today can prepare and succeed in jobs that may not even exist at this time.

Dr. Pearce believes in open lines of communication between all interested stakeholders. Open lines of communication are critical to ensure our District fulfills its mission and vision, and becomes a world class organization. 

If you have a question or concern for the superintendent, send an email to Matt Pearce

Dr. Tyler Overstreet

Dr. Tyler Overstreet, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services

Dr. Tyler Overstreet is currently serving his sixth year as Assistant Superintendent of the Republic R-III School District and 20th year in the field of education. Previously, he served as Principal at Republic High School for five years.

Before becoming a Republic Tiger, Dr. Overstreet served as an Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Glendale High School in the Springfield Public School system. Prior to his time at Glendale, Dr. Overstreet served as a Social Studies and Physical Education teacher at Logan-Rogersville and taught subjects ranging from elementary P.E., high school P.E., American History, World History, Psychology, and Sociology. 

As the Assistant Superintendent Dr. Overstreet oversees Pre-K through 12th grade schools and academics, along with:

Mr. Jason Perkins

Mr. Jason Perkins, Assistant Superintendent of Operations

Mr. Jason Perkins is serving his eleventh year as the head of operations for Republic Schools, and his 18th year as a Tiger. He started his career in public education more than twenty years ago in Sarcoxie, MO. During his time there, he taught fourth grade for six years and also coached high school football and baseball. Mr. Perkins then joined the Republic School District team as an Assistant Principal, and then went on to become Principal at the elementary level within our district.

His Masters of School Administration degree was obtained from William Woods University in 2006, and his Educational Specialist in School Administration degree was received from Lindenwood University in 2011.

Due to his leadership skills and role as a building administrator, along with his focused approach to continuous improvement efforts, Mr. Perkins was named Executive Director of Operations, and oversees the following departments within the Republic School District: 

Beth Trogdon

Mrs. Beth Trogdon, Executive Director of Student Services

Mrs. Beth Trogdon was named Executive Director of Student Services in March of 2024, after serving as Director of Federal Programs/Student Support Services. As Executive Director, Mrs. Trogdon oversees both of her former programs, as well as Special Education, which were consolidated under Student Services in a strategic restructuring aimed at meeting the needs of students and families.

Prior to leadership, Mrs. Trogdon worked as a special education teacher and process coordinator. With a focus on ensuring equitable access and support for diverse learner populations, Mrs. Trogdon strives to support students as they reach their full potential through inclusive policies and specialized services.

Christy Coursey

Dr. Christy Coursey, Executive Director of Elementary Learning

Mrs. Christy Coursey is currently serving her fifth year as Executive Director of Elementary Learning. She has been an educator for 25 years in the Republic School District. Her career with the Republic School District began as a classroom teacher before she transitioned to the role of assistant principal at several district elementary schools. She then served as principal of Schofield Elementary, which allowed her to continue pursuing her personal mission of ensuring Republic students are safe, happy, healthy, and learning. Mrs. Coursey holds degrees from Drury University and Missouri State University.

As the Executive Director of Elementary Learning, Mrs. Coursey oversees PK-4th grade schools and academics, as well as the district's STRIPES 360 program.

Allison Dishman

Dr. Allison Dishman, Executive Director of Secondary Learning

Dr. Allison Dishman is currently serving her third year as Executive Director of Secondary Learning. She has been an educator for seventeen years and Dr. Dishman has been a Republic Tiger for the past seven years, first serving as the Republic Middle School Principal. Prior to joining Republic Schools, Dr. Dishman was the Principal at Pleasant Hope Middle School. Before that, she was a teacher and coach in the Strafford School District. During her career in education, Dr. Dishman has developed a full toolbox of skills that help our secondary departments to continue to grow and effectively meet student needs.

Dr. Dishman holds a degree in Secondary Education, a Graduate degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. Dr. Dishman also has a vast professional learning experience including response to intervention (RTI) and professional learning communities (PLC) expertise along with cognitive coaching and cooperative learning skills. 

As Executive Director of Secondary Learning, Dr. Dishman oversees Republic Intermediate School, Republic Middle School and Republic High School.