Jackson R-2 School District appoints new Athletic Director for the 2025-2026 school year

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – The Jackson R-2 School District Board of Education has approved the hiring of a new athletic director.

Tatum Kitchen will be the new Jackson R-2 School District Athletic Director for the 2025-2026 school year.

Kitchen has over 20 years of experience in education and 13 years total at Jackson.

He recently served as the Jackson R-2 Junior High School Athletic Director.

Coach Kitchen will focus on implementing five main pillars while serving as the Jackson R-2 Athletic Director.

Those pillars include developing quality coaches, maintaining and improving top-tier facilities, fundraising strategies, coordinating branding and marketing strategies to create a unified approach, and continuing to foster community and District pride through all programs.

“Coach Kitchen has a deeply rooted passion for athletics and helping others develop as coaches and athletes while furthering school pride. He has done a great job helping our junior high school program succeed. We know he will be a great asset to student-athletes, coaches, and the school community,” said Dr. Scott Smith, Superintendent.
He will take over after the retirement of John Martin, the current athletic director who has 18 years of experience in this position.

Martin led Jackson athletic teams to win numerous District championships as well as SEMO Conference Championships, and there were eight State Champion teams during his career.

Kitchen will officially start his new position on July 1, 2025.