The commissioner may appoint a superintendent and deputy superintendent at each institution. Superintendents and deputy superintendents shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act. A superintendent or a deputy superintendent may be removed at any time by the commissioner. Each superintendent and deputy superintendent shall receive an annual salary fixed by the commissioner, with the approval of the governor. If a vacancy occurs in the position of superintendent or deputy superintendent, the commissioner may appoint an acting superintendent or deputy superintendent to serve temporarily until a vacancy is filled. Acting superintendents shall have the same powers, duties and functions as superintendents. Acting deputy superintendents shall have the same powers, duties and functions as deputy superintendents.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment of a person to serve as the superintendent or deputy superintendent at more than one institution.