Springdale foundation inducts governor, Tyson family, former administrators

Marsha Jones, former associate superintendent of Springdale Public Schools (left), speaks Thursday with Jim Rollins, superintendent, before the start of the ceremony. Jones was honored during the ceremony.
Marsha Jones, former associate superintendent of Springdale Public Schools (left), speaks Thursday with Jim Rollins, superintendent, before the start of the ceremony. Jones was honored during the ceremony.

SPRINGDALE -- In its fifth year, the Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation added Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Hartzell and Marsha Jones and the Tyson family to its Cornerstone Society.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (center) speaks with Philip Taldo of Springdale on Thursday before the start of the Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation Cornerstone Society induction ceremony at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. Hutchinson was honored during the ceremony as a member of the Class of 1968. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the evening.

"The Joneses, the governor, the Tyson family -- they have helped us every step of the way and are a great example of patrons helping bring our school district forward," said Jim Rollins, Springdale superintendent.

Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation

2015 Cornerstone Society inductees

• Alumni Honoree: Gov. Asa Hutchinson

• Retired Employees Honorees: Hartzell and Marsha Jones

• Patron Honoree: The Tyson Family

The Cornerstone Society helps to preserve the legacy of the people who helped lay a foundation for the success of Springdale schools, said Chris Stecklein, executive director of the foundation. Three awards are given each year: an alumni award, a retiree award and a patron award.

This year's awards were given during a party and ceremony Thursday evening that drew a crowd of 100 to the Arts Center of the Ozarks.

As governor, Hutchinson already has made an impact on schools, Stecklein said. He pushed an initiative to require high schools to offer courses in computer coding and set a quick timeline for implementation.

One of Hutchinson's favorite high school memories is of acting in a senior play, titled State Fair, he said.

Hutchinson, 64, graduated in 1968, a time of national turmoil at the height of the Vietnam War, with the assassination of national leaders and riots on college campuses.

"To come of age in the '60s, to be able to capitalize on a good education and to give back and to be recognized as a contributor from Springdale High School is just an great honor," Hutchinson said.

Prior to becoming governor, Hutchinson was 31 when he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the nation's youngest U.S. attorney. He went on to become director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the first undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He was elected to Congress three times.

"It was a lot of persistence and pursuing your dream, never forgetting about the individuals and people around you," Hutchinson said.

In a video tribute, Rollins described the Tyson family as the district's greatest partner. Rollins, an early riser, remembers a time in his career when the late Don Tyson often would call his office well before 6 in the morning.

"I got to the point where I would just say, 'Good morning, Don,'" Rollins said in a video tribute to the family. "Whatever the issues of the day might be, Don had thought about it. He was always thoughtful, encouraging."

Rollins appreciated being welcome any time in Don Tyson's office.

His son John H. Tyson, 62, remembers when Springdale schools consisted of only Springdale Elementary, Springdale Junior High and Springdale High School. He felt the first expansion when the district built Westwood Elementary School in the early 1960s and later added a second junior high school.

As the school district grew and needed land for schools, his family gave land to the district that became home to schools named after his grandparents, John Tyson Elementary School and Helen Tyson Middle School, he said.

The company supported the 2010 district millage campaign that led to the building of new schools, including Sonora Middle School and Lakeside Junior High School, he said.

The recognition is humbling, Tyson said. Tyson, in a video shown during the ceremony, said his father went to school in Springdale.

"He was a believer that education gives all of us a chance to move ahead," Tyson said.

Hartzell Jones, 71, spent 44 years in Springdale schools, including 30 as deputy superintendent. He retired in 2013. Wife Marsha Jones, 67, spent three decades working for the district, with all but one year in the central office. She became assistant superintendent in 1985 and retired as associate superintendent in 2014.

She continues to be coordinator for the district's Race to the Top grant.

Hartzell Jones said his time in the central office went by fast because of the rapid growth that occurred in Springdale. At one time, Springdale was adding 650 children a year. When he retired, he had hired more than 1,500 certified teachers working for the district.

"Your work ethic can make a difference, and people can depend on you," Hartzell Jones said. "You're there doing your best every day. In this business, you've got to take care of the kids."

Marsha Jones said the honor carries a responsibility to make sure Springdale schools and the Springdale community continue to thrive, she said.

"The vision was to have the very best education system possible to benefit the children of Springdale schools," Jones said.

The nonprofit Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation was established in 2011 and awards scholarships to students and provides grants for teachers.

Stecklein on Thursday announced plans to begin a $5 million capital campaign in 2016 to endow grant opportunities and to create scholarships to encourage Springdale students interested in teaching to return to their home school district, Stecklein said.

NW News on 10/30/2015

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