Schools seek input in search for chief

Rogers residents list preferred traits

ROGERS — Academic standards, athletics and leadership style were among the issues that came up during community meetings on the Rogers School District’s superintendent search.

Bill Newman and Brenda Dietrich, representatives of the firm Ray and Associates, moderated the initial meeting, which drew about a dozen people to the Rogers High School auditorium Tuesday.

The School Board hired Ray and Associates to assist in the district’s search. Tuesday’s meeting was one of 16 that the company is holding to solicit feedback from the public and groups on characteristics they’d like to see in their district’s next leader.

“We asked the board, ‘Do you want us to involve the public in this decision?’ The board was emphatic: ‘Yes, we do,’” Newman said.

Input collected from the meetings and online surveys will be presented to the board this week and be used to develop a set of characteristics the board seeks in its next superintendent. A link to the survey can be found on the district’s website, RogersSchools.net.

Billie Hankins, a Rogers High graduate who also worked many years in the district, was among those at Tuesday’s meeting. She said she’d prefer a superintendent who either has a doctorate or is pursuing one. She also asked that internal candidates not be overlooked.

“We have very good administrators,” Hankins said.

David Kimball, the father of a Rogers eighth-grader and three Rogers graduates, said he’d like to see someone who’s not afraid to make decisions. He also expressed concern about what he perceives as declining academic rigor, adding his son has not had to study for a single test this year.

Kimball said he’d prefer to hire someone from outside the district.

“I’m afraid if we go internal, we’ll get more of the same,” he said.

Josh MacNeel, father of two Rogers students, said the district has to have a place where the smartest children can go to feel challenged.

“I also feel like athletics has been so de-emphasized,” MacNeel said.

MacNeel later added he’s very proud that his children are enrolled in the district.

“We love this place,” he said. “Let’s get a humble [superintendent] in here who will listen and cultivate the love of these schools.”

Janie Darr, who’s been superintendent since 1999, announced last month her intention to retire at the end of June.

There was some difference of opinion on the importance of finding someone who will make that kind of long-term commitment to the district.

Hankins said she’d like to see someone who will stick around for at least a decade. MacNeel, however, said he wouldn’t necessarily care if Darr’s successor stayed fewer than five years.

“Great leaders often get recruited to the next deal,” MacNeel said. “The good ones go. I don’t want a legacy builder.”

The discussion also touched on leadership style. Does Rogers want someone who decides things single-handedly or in a collaborative fashion?

Lance Arbuckle, principal of Rogers New Technology High School, said leadership style should depend on what kind of group the person is dealing with and under what circumstances. The next superintendent should be comfortable exercising leadership in a variety of ways, he said.

Before the community meeting, Newman and Dietrich held two other meetings Tuesday: one with representatives of the higher education community, and one intended for teachers.

Mel Ahart, principal of Kirksey Middle School, was one of three people who attended the meeting for teachers.

Ahart said she hopes the board finds someone with energy and personality. She added she hopes the board finds someone who appreciates the unique needs of middle schools.

“Rogers is one of the few school districts that has done middle schools right,” Ahart said.

She said Darr has always made her feel welcome to talk about school issues. Superintendent candidates should possess that same ability and willingness to listen, Ahart said.

Ray and Associates will collect applications for the superintendent’s job until March 4. The board intends to choose a candidate by mid-April.

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