SPRINGDALE -- School Board secretary-treasurer Kathy McFetridge resigned her position today to take an unspecified opportunity outside of the district.
The board during a special meeting today accepted her resignation, which capped more than 25 years on the board. The remaining members have 30 days to appoint a replacement in Zone 3 to serve out the rest of her term through next year, district spokesman Rick Schaeffer said.
In a resignation letter, McFetridge said it has been an honor to serve the children and wider community of Springdale.
"I've only cried a couple times today," she told the board at the meeting. She declined afterward to give more detail about her outside opportunity.
McFetridge first won the unpaid position in 1991, when district enrollment was around 8,000 students, compared to almost 22,000 last school year.
In the years since, McFetridge served as board president and vice president and as president of the Arkansas School Boards Association and Arkansas PTA. She successfully pushed for a millage increase for new facilities in the 1990s and to close Emma Avenue at Springdale High School in 2007. The board as a whole sets budgets and salaries for the district as well.
Other district officials said her departure is a loss for the district. Board member Randy Hutchinson told her he hated that she's leaving but knew she had something special planned.
"We appreciate your service and your kind heart and your gentle way of doing things," board president Kevin Ownbey said.
McFetridge co-owns Ozark Film & Video Productions, according to the district.
Schaeffer said the replacement board member must live in Zone 3, which stretches north from Emma. There's no formal application process, he said, adding anyone interested should contact a board member.
NW News on 07/04/2018