JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. -- The Shawnee Mission School District started the school year with a new superintendent on Thursday.

Dr. Gene Johnson, who has been with the district for the past 22 years, said he's prepared to deal with challenges facing the district in the future, including finance issues and declining enrollment.

Johnson said that while the district is losing students, the district is still the second largest in the state of Kansas.

He said it's important the district continues to focus on academics. "We are here to learn, and our students do a great job with that," said Johnson.

Johnson said the district will add more programs for all levels to make sure all students get what they need. That might mean more renovations for some of the schools, he said.

Visit the Shawnee Mission district Web site at www.smsd.org.