KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A new leader takes the helm of the Kansas City School District on Wednesday, and he faces a long list of challenges.

John Covington officially began his post on Wednesday, but since he accepted the job weeks ago, Covington began to see some of the district's problems firsthand. He was in the auditorium as the district heard from angry parents over the past couple of weeks about closing schools.

The 26th superintendent in nearly 40 years, he said the district faces a sharp decline in both money and enrollment.

Speaking to a group of church leaders and volunteers Wednesday who want to give several area schools a makeover, Covington said he was up to the challenges. He said his first priority is improving the quality of education in the district.

When asked if he had any hesitation in taking on the job at a school district that some say is riddled with problems, Covington said he had no reservations.

""This side being pitted against this side. It stagnates our progress. The only group that doesn't benefit from that is the group we are supposed to be helping in the first place, which is children and their families," he said. "It's about making sure everybody's doing the best they can for those kids over there, so they can have the same opportunities that you have to stand here and interview me and me give you this interview."

Covington came to Kansas City from the Pueblo, Colo., School District.

His three-year agreement, the longest term permissible for superintendent contracts under Missouri law, will pay Covington an annual salary of $250,000.