FAYETTEVILLE — Superintendent Vicki Thomas submitted her resignation, effective at the end of her contract in June, and the School Board unanimously accepted it.
The action came during a special meeting Monday at which time the board immediately went into executive session to discuss what was described as only “an employment matter” by School Board President Tim Hudson. The board resumed in open session after about 20 minutes.
Her contract officially ends June 30.
AT A GLANCE
Executive Sessions
Arkansas law allows public bodies, such as school boards, to conduct private conversations on certain topics pertaining to employees. The law states the public boards can meet in executive session “for the purpose of considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any public officer or employee.”
Source: Staff Report
In her letter of resignation, Thomas said she and her husband, Steve, planned to return to Texas to help in the care of her 78-year-old mother-in-law who suffers from a neuromuscular disease which is progressive and degenerative, known as primary lateral sclerosis. They also need to take care of family interests, Thomas said in her letter.
“The Fayetteville School District is an amazing organization,” Thomas wrote. "Credit for that goes to the principals, teachers and support staff who hold the best interest of each child in their hands and hearts.”
She also praised the support of the community for voting for the millage increase in 2009 which is financing construction of the high school transformation.
Those in attendance Monday were Hudson and fellow board members Bryn Bagwell, Justin Eichmann, Traci Farrah, Jim Halsell, Susan Heil and Steve Percival.
Board members gave high praise to Thomas for her efforts since she was hired in 2009 to succeed Bobby New who retired from the superintendency that year.
Hudson said it was an “honor and privilege” to work with Thomas.
Percival said, “You have been here 4 1/2 years and you’ve given us nine years worth of hours.”
Bagwell praised Thomas for her work in moving forward the district curriculum.
Hudson said the board will discuss the hiring of Thomas’ replacement at its next regular meeting on Jan. 23.
Thomas was hired after an extensive national search. Thomas was the assistant superintendent in Pasadena, Texas, before joining the Fayetteville district.
Soon after her arrival, she donned a sandwich board and walked around the downtown square to promote passage of the millage issue to finance construction at Fayetteville High School. The request to hike the property tax by 4.9 mills was rejected by voters.
She revived her sandwich board the following year to promote passage of a scaled-back project which increased the tax rate by 2.75 mills and was approved by the voters.
She visited every school in the district on the opening day in the 2009-10 and introduced herself as the new superintendent. She has remained visible in the schools ever since.
And, she has led a districtwide project to upgrade the curriculum and to implement Common Core State Standards in all Fayetteville schools.
“We are better off because you were here,” Halsell added to the accolades.