FAYETTEVILLE -- Incoming Superintendent Matthew Wendt received a quick, "Welcome to Holt," from Assistant Principal Richard Guthrie before following Guthrie on a brief tour of the school Friday morning.
Holt Middle School was the sixth stop for Wendt and current Superintendent Paul Hewitt. The day's activities began at 6:45 a.m. Friday with a reception for district employees in the Fayetteville High School library. Wendt then sat down for an interview for a Fayetteville High School weekly television show.
Matthew Wendt, 47
Current title: Superintendent of Community Unit School District 308
Family: Wife, Dawn, two children
Experience: 26 years in education, with almost 17 years as a superintendent or assistant superintendent
Education: Bachelor’s degree in education in 1990 from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan.; master’s degree in educational administration in 1996 from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.; superintendent certification in 1999 from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.; doctorate in educational leadership and administration in 2005 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; and national superintendent’s certification in 2015 from the American Association of School Administrators
Source: Matthew Wendt’s resume
"There's so much pride in this district," Wendt said. "People are incredibly gracious. They are very committed to kids. We haven't found anyone that didn't love their school and think they were the best."
The School Board voted unanimously Jan. 26 to hire Wendt to succeed Hewitt, who is retiring. Wendt last week signed a three-year contract with the board, which begins July 1, for an annual salary of $218,000.
District officials made plans for Wendt and his wife, Dawn, to spend time this week meeting with staff, students, parents and community members. The couple arrived Wednesday and leave Sunday.
Wendt, a 26-year educator who began his career teaching in Kansas, has been a superintendent or assistant superintendent for four school districts, including his current position as superintendent of the nearly 18,300-student Community Unit School District 308 in Oswego, Ill. Fayetteville School District has roughly 9,650 students.
Wendt wanted to begin meeting his new constituents as soon as possible, he said.
"I'm looking forward to the transition," he said.
Friday's itinerary also included Wendt attending the Colors Day pep rally at Fayetteville High School, as well as the girls and boys basketball games Friday night. Wendt planned to attend today's Razorbacks men's basketball game.
Wendt, who wore a purple paisley tie on Friday, earned a master's degree in educational administration in 1996 from Kansas State University. He noticed the Kansas State University purple he has in his wardrobe matches the purple school color of Fayetteville High. Wendt also earned a doctorate in educational leadership and administration in 2005 from the University of Arkansas, where his son, Ryan, is a student.
Wendt's daughter, Rachel, attends Pittsburg State University in Kansas.
Hewitt and Wendt arrived at Holt at 10:45 a.m. Friday and still had several more schools on their quest to visit all 15 schools in the district.
Guthrie showed Wendt an English classroom and explained the layout of the school, with one side of a horseshoe-shaped building for fifth-graders and the other side for sixth-graders.
"We're in a pod system," Guthrie said, describing how classrooms are grouped throughout the building. "Four classrooms form a little city."
Principal Matt Morningstar caught up with the ensemble as Guthrie led Hewitt and Wendt to see fifth-graders eating lunch in the cafeteria. Some students were eating pizza, apples, pineapple and corn.
Guthrie grabbed a microphone to introduce Wendt to the students in the cafeteria.
"Our new superintendent is here today," Guthrie said. "We're glad he's here."
Wendt took time to shake hands with students and teachers. When he returned to the front of the cafeteria, Guthrie made Wendt and Morningstar laugh when he told them some fifth-graders noticed similarities in their appearances and wondered if they were brothers.
Both men are bald and wear glasses.
NW News on 02/06/2016