New Administrators Introduced

— Schools Superintendent Jim Rollins stayed within Northwest Arkansas to find replacements for two retiring members of his administrative team.

At Tuesday’s School Board meeting, Rollins introduced Megan Witonski, superintendent of the Elkins School District, as his next deputy superintendent for personnel. Witonski will replace Hartzell Jones, the longest-tenured employee in the district at 44 years.

At A Glance

The Resumes

Kim Garrett

-Principal, Bentonville High School, 2009-present

-Principal, Washington Junior High School (Bentonville), 2006-2009

-Assistant principal, Bentonville High School, 2004-2006

-Literacy teacher, various school districts, 1989-1990 and 1992-2004

-Holds master’s degree in education administration from Missouri State University; currently pursuing doctorate in education leadership from University of Arkansas

Megan Witonski

-Superintendent, Elkins School District, 2010-present

-Superintendent, Wickes School District, 2009-2010

-Principal, Mena School District, 2008-2009

-Principal, Wickes School District, 2007-2008

-Teacher, Bryant School District, 2003-2007

-Holds master’s degree in educational leadership from Henderson State University. Pursuing doctorate in educational leadership from Harding University

Source: Springdale School District

Rollins also introduced Kim Garrett, who will be the next assistant superintendent for grades eight through 12. She will replace Don Love, who has held the position for 10 years.

Love and Jones both are retiring this summer with a combined 87 years in education.

Garrett has been principal of Bentonville High School for four years.

Rollins said Garrett was a student in a graduate class he taught last year at the University of Arkansas, where Garrett is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership.

“She represents the great qualities we look for in leaders for our district,” Rollins said.

Garrett told the board she was “extremely honored” to be coming to Springdale.

Michael Poore, Bentonville superintendent, said Tuesday that Garrett would be missed.

Since news broke last week about Garrett’s departure, he said he’s heard from many parents and staff members who are sorry to see her go.

“She’s been such a strong instructional leader and has always strived to make things better,” Poore said. “She’s been a fantastic leader.”

He said both Garrett and Rollins informed him of Garrett’s interest in the Springdale job.

“There’s been great communication throughout the process,” Poore said. “I’m excited she’s getting this opportunity.”

Garrett will finish the school year in Bentonville. She begins her new job July 1.

The search for Garrett’s replacement will be a national one, Poore said. The job already has been advertised. Poore hopes to begin interviewing candidates soon after spring break, which is the third week of March.

Witonski has been superintendent of Elkins schools since July 2010. She has worked in education since 2003. Witonski previously worked in sales and marketing for Dillard’s in Little Rock for nine years.

“She’s a recognized leader in our state already,” Rollins said.

Among her achievements in Elkins, Witonski coordinated a successful millage campaign in 2011 to build a high school in that district. The measure passed with about 67 percent of the vote.

Witonski said she will move from Elkins to Springdale. Her two children will be Springdale students.

“I know what an important position this is, the seriousness of it, the financial implications of it,” she said.

Bryan Delozier, president of the Elkins School Board, said late Tuesday he knew Witonski had applied for the Springdale job, but didn’t know she had gotten it. He declined to comment on the matter, saying he preferred to talk to Witonski first.

Also at Tuesday’s School Board meeting, Kelly Koons and Allison Byford were announced as the assistant principals of the new junior high school opening this fall.

Koons is an assistant principal at Central Junior High School. Byford is the School District’s coordinator of instructional technology.

Koons and Byford will join principal Michael Shepherd as the administrative team at the new junior high school, which is under construction on Hylton Road on Springdale’s east side. It’s scheduled to open in August.

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