Springdale Principal Promoted To Assistant Superintendent

SPRINGDALE -- Students and teachers in the Springdale School District will have a new assistant superintendent for the 2014-15 school year.

Tamekia Brown was principal of Central Junior High School the last two years, and received a promotion Thursday to assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, grades eight through 12, said Rick Schaeffer, district communication director. Before she became principal at Central, she was principal at Maumelle High School in Pulaski County.

The promotion to assistant superintendent comes after Kim Garrett resigned effective Tuesday. She will become associate superintendent for secondary education in Fayetteville.

It's not typical to hire administrators at this time of the summer, when the start of the school year is approaching, said Jim Rollins, superintendent. District administrators interviewed six or seven candidates before deciding to promote Brown. Rollins said Brown is the first African American to hold an assistant superintendent position in the district in the 32 years he's been superintendent.

Officials were looking for a candidate who had good leadership and team work skills, Rollins said. Brown met that criteria.

"Dr. Brown has been just a model of excellence since she joined the district," he said.

Brown said she enjoyed her role as a principal, but is excited to have an opportunity to impact secondary students across the district.

"I am ready to jump in with both feet," she said.

Brown said the biggest change for her is being the person who provides support to the principals instead of being a principal receiving the support. She said she's prepared to do that by having conversations with principals, and providing them with the resources and connections they need.

Brown said her primary goal in her new position is to work with principals to help students have opportunities to contribute to society after they leave Springdale schools.

District officials have decided who will replace Brown as principal at Central Junior High, but aren't ready to announce their selection, Rollins said. They appointment should be announced within the week.