BENTONVILLE — The School Board on Tuesday night said goodbye to George Spence, its legal counsel for the past 16 years.
The board opened up a request for bids for legal counsel along with other contracted positions in recent months. Spence didn’t bid for the job.
“I just felt it was time,” Spence said. “When they started the search, I had to ask the question of whether or not to continue. I just thought it was time to go.”
At A Glance
Mitchell Williams
Mitchell Williams law firm is at 5414 Pinnacle Point Drive, Suite 400 in Rogers. The firm has three other offices with one in Little Rock.
Source: Staff Report
Spence also serves as attorney for the city, county and the Benton County School of the Arts. He also runs Clark & Spence, a private practice.
The School Board previously approved hiring Mitchell Williams as new counsel. Marshall Ney will be the district’s main contact with the company. Ney is a former member of the School Board.
Superintendent Michael Poore said Spence has been helpful during his time as superintendent.
“When I came into the district he was a resource for me,” Poore said before presenting Spence with a plaque for his service.
Travis Riggs, board president, has served on the board for 12 years. Spence has been the district’s attorney the entire time.
“George has always had common sense that brought us practical solutions,” Riggs said.
Spence said he has worked with four superintendents since he started with the board.
“When I started doing this, I was a very young lawyer,” Spence said. “I have had the opportunity throughout the years to serve with some outstanding people.”
Spence said Ney will do a good job serving the board.
“He is very capable,” Spence said. “I have known him for a long, long time. I’m sure he is going to do a great job, he and his firm.”
Sterling Ming, district financial director, said the district will spend $200 an hour for legal services from Mitchell Williams.
The board heard several people speak during its public comments section prior to the meeting.
Jim Parsons of the Bella Vista asked the board consider allowing Bella Vista to create its own school district with the students who attend the Bentonville School District.
“It will reduce the overcrowding problem in Bentonville schools by 2,822 students,” Parsons said.
Todd Holscher, a parent of students in the district, asked the board to consider the location when building a second high school. He said the location could be a deciding point for voters.
Rick Smith, a Bentonville parent, asked the board to consider more than one option when moving forward with a millage increase proposal tol relieve overcrowding at Bentonville High School.
“Academics and excellence has been a cornerstone of everything we have done,” Smith said. We can’t lose sight of that. Let go of our personal ideas of what the solution should be. You have got to include everyone and you have to listen.”
Smith mentioned voters have voted against a second high school millage increase twice in the past.