I wish each of you could have attended this week's groundbreaking event at Bentonville West.
What a great day. It was a great opportunity to thank so many for their efforts to make a second high school a reality, as well as share what the future holds at the site.
Think back on June 25, 2012. We went to the community for a second high school and were soundly defeated. We came back with a different plan in September that generated support and led to victory.
I want to thank the School Board members who served during this stretch. Their passion and commitment ultimately led us to victory.
Just as important was a commitment from our business community to support a second high school. No one stood taller in this effort than Dana Davis and members of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.
The leadership of the business community led to many invites into businesses to share our approach, billboards highlighting the need to vote and workers who beat the path speaking in favor of a millage.
The business community included Walmart. I thank Mike Duke for taking time to meet with me, and then for his foresight to have Susan Chambers, Lee Culpepper, Sharon Orlopp and Joe Quinn assist. I want to thank political leaders in this community who stood up and consistently supported the district.
Mayor Bob McCaslin was always by my side. Mayor Bill Edwards of Centerton could not have promoted this effort with more intensity. All the area mayors spoke favorably toward the millage.
Judge Bob Clinard has always worked to find creative ways to bring support. Our local representatives and senators were right there as well. Thank you, Sen. Bart Hester, Rep. Dan Douglas and Rep. Jim Dotson.
We are now at a wonderful stage.
Dirt is being moved and August 2016 is right around the corner. I can't wait for that grand opening.
We will open a building the entire community will be proud of and that will serve our students for decades. We will open and staff this building to prepare students for any and all post-secondary opportunities.
How awesome it will be to have two fantastic high schools delivering excellence in curricular and extra-curricular programming.
As I close out this Poore Page I ask you to each reflect on an amazing year.
Among the highlights:
• We have moved forward and have Bentonville West on the horizon.
• Central Park became our fourth Blue Ribbon School.
• Our graduates received over $7.4 million in scholarships.
• Bentonville High School moved from No. 750 to No. 580 in the U.S. World and News Report as a top-ranked institution.
• Our performing arts groups did amazing at state and national level competitions.
• We won a record of 12 state athletic championships.
• We had Jason Brunner selected as the Arkansas Assistant Principal of the Year.
Think of the amazing things that happened at each site. Academic celebrations, project presentations, concerts, and, of course, continuation ceremonies. What could be better than a kindergarten graduation?
Finally, I am excited that my contract has been extended. I thank our Board of Education for its work in creating a contract that will make our School District better and will help make me a more effective superintendent.
I am thrilled to continue my work in Bentonville School District. I am honored to be your superintendent.
NW News on 06/26/2014