Kimbrell Not Interested In Fayetteville Superintendent Job

— Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell, 52, is no longer interested in the Fayetteville superintendent’s job.

School Board President Tim Hudson said Kimbrell called Sunday night and said he and his family decided to stay in central Arkansas and he would remain chief executive of the Arkansas Department of Education.

AT A GLANCE

Superintendent Search

The process to hire Superintendent Vicki Thomas included a citizens’ committee, interviews with the School Board and finalists meeting with business leaders and patrons. The School Board hasn’t decided on the process it will use in this search.

Source: Staff Report

Kimberly Friedman, a spokesman for the department, said Monday that Kimbrell was unavailable for comment because he was in a legislative committee meeting in the morning and had meetings all afternoon.

Kimbrell spent about three hours Thursday evening in an executive session of the School Board discussing the district and his interest in succeeding Superintendent Vicki Thomas.

Kimbrell said after the discussion he was exploring options because he didn’t intend to retire from his current position. He said he wanted to continue working for six to eight years. Kimbrell called Hudson two weeks ago to express interest in the job.

Board member Jim Halsell, like Hudson, said he was disappointed.

“We had an incredible meeting with him and it’s obvious his vision would have been a terrific match for the district and the community,” Halsell said.

Hudson said the board will need to meet soon to plan the search for a new superintendent. Kimbrell’s call put plans on hold, Hudson said. The board hired a search firm to find applicants, including Thomas, for the position in 2009.

The board could meet this week, depending on the weather and the availability of members, Hudson said.

Kimbrell’s salary at the state education department is $228,887; Thomas is paid $207,000. The School Board hasn’t decided on the salary range for Thomas’ replacement.

Kimbrell has spent 30 years in education, including serving as superintendent for Paragould and North Little Rock. He was the executive director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators before being tapped in 2009 by Gov. Mike Beebe to serve as the state education commissioner. Whomever is elected governor in November will have the authority to retain Kimbrell or appoint a new commissioner.

Thomas joined the district in 2009 after serving as an assistant superintendent in Pasadena, Texas. She and her husband are returning to Texas to assist in the care of an ailing relative and to attend to family business interests, she said when she announced she was leaving when her contract ends June 30.

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