Administrators Announce Retirement

— Two of the School District’s top administrators plan to retire at the end of this school year.

Hartzell Jones, the district’s deputy superintendent for personnel, and Don Love, an assistant superintendent who concentrates on grades eight through 12, both submitted letters to Superintendent Jim Rollins within the past week notifying him of their intentions to retire. Jones and Love have worked in education for a combined 87 years.

Jones is completing his 47th year in education, including 44 years with Springdale. He has spent the last 30 years as a deputy superintendent.

In a letter to Kathy McFetridge, School Board president, Rollins called Jones “one of the most respected school leaders of our time.”

“Being able to turn to him and ask ‘Hartzell, what do you think?’ on whatever the issue may have been has consistently led to higher-level decision-making in all areas of schooling,” Rollins wrote.

Jones, in his letter to Rollins, cited his health as a factor in his decision.

“I appreciate your understanding of how difficult this decision is for me,” Jones wrote.

Jones began working for the district in 1972 as a basketball coach and math teacher for Southwest Junior High School. He later became principal of the school before joining the central office in 1983.

This isn’t the first time Jones has considered retirement. In 2009 he announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2009-10 school year before eventually deciding to stay on the job. He’s married to Marsha Jones, an associate superintendent with the district.

“You have been very supportive and you have served as a great mentor to me,” Jones wrote to Rollins. “I am especially grateful for your willingness to allow Marsha and I the opportunity to work together. We both always knew it was a privilege. Thank you.”

Love’s education career spans 40 years, half of which have been with Springdale. He was principal at Springdale High School for 10 years starting in 1993 before moving into the assistant superintendent’s position. He previously worked in Pine Bluff and El Dorado.

Rollins called Love “one of the district’s most admired leaders.” He cited Love’s role in bringing the High Schools That Work program to Springdale High, initiating career academies and implementing the International Baccalaureate diploma program.

Love, 63, said he has no plans to work again. He and his wife look forward to spending more time relaxing, riding horses and spending time with their three adult daughters. He lives in Madison County.

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