Lehr makes leap from principal to City Secretary

Dalhart Texan
Posted by: tdt
Cerise Merritt Ripps, Managing Editor
December 11, 2023

Kristy Lehr said there isn’t as much difference as one might think between being a school principal and a city secretary.

“There’s a lot of similarity. You deal with the public every day in both jobs, and both have a lot of paperwork,” she explained. Lehr should know. She began her new job as Dalhart City Secretary on Monday and has more than 23 years of experience in education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Southern Nazarene University.

“I’ve been a teacher and a principal,” Lehr said. “I’m also a business owner.” She and her husband own Lehr Electric in Guymon, OK.

Lehr said she is excited to meet the people of Dalhart.

“I love people and I have a strong sense of community and of family. I’m looking forward to beginning to know and understand the local dynamics,” she said. “I’m also excited to get to know the different city departments and their aspects.”

Lehr was selected from a field of more than 25 applicants in a search that began in September and included two rounds of interviews. Wendy Kleynhans, who previously held the position for three years, accepted a lateral transfer within City Hall.

“We’re thrilled that Wendy is staying with the City, because she has a vast historical knowledge and we’re planning to utilize her on future projects,” said City Manager Stacey Norris. “We’re also very excited to have Kristy join us. We’re looking forward to getting her training and to seeing her bringing new ideas aboard.”