School board members had a series of late nights last week as they interviewed the final four candidates for the top spot in the school district.
The board held special meetings on Monday through Thursday to interview each of the superintendent candidates in executive session. Jody Wiggins, current assistant superintendent of Siloam Springs Schools, was interviewed on Monday followed by Cedar Ridge Superintendent Andy Ashley on Tuesday, Prairie Grove Assistant Superintendent of Finance Allen Williams on Wednesday and Paris Superintendent Wayne Fawcett on Thursday.
"We had allotted two hours for each interview and we haven't had a two hour interview yet, they have been three hours and plus," said Brian Lamb, board president. "It has been very enjoyable. Sure we're interviewing for a job, but it has been really pleasant to visit with these highly educated and knowledgeable people."
While in Siloam Springs to interview, candidates also toured the community and met district administrators, principals and department heads, he said.
The board was scheduled to meet again on Saturday night, after press time, to discuss the candidates with the goal of selecting and announcing a new superintendent by the April 11 board meeting, Lamb said.
Board member Connie Matchell said the final decision will be difficult because all four candidates are "really good quality people."
"This is the most important decision we have to make and we want to do it right," she said of the lengthy process.
Lamb reiterated Matchell's statement, adding that doing what is best for the kids is the board's most important priority.
When asked what the board is looking for in a candidate, Lamb said, "Everything, from a community person, to knowing the school business, to being able to relate well with everybody and most important will be the integrity and ethics and honesty and transparency. We are very strong willed on that, that is a very important part of our interview process."
The school board began searching for a new superintendent in January when current superintendent Ken Ramey announced his plans to retire in June after a 52-year career in education. A total of 15 people applied for the position and the board narrowed the list to four final candidates during a special meeting on March 26.
Meet the candidates
Jody Wiggins
Wiggins has worked in Siloam Springs School District for 17 years and has held his current position of assistant superintendent and programs coordinator since January 2013, according to his resume. His long list of current responsibilities include serving as federal programs coordinator and overseeing classified employees and supervisors, facilities and day-to-day operations. Wiggins has also served as programs coordinator, vice principal and assistant principal and athletic director in Siloam Springs. Previously, he worked in the Lincoln School District as a high school principal, math teacher and coach.
Wiggins earned his bachelor's degree in education and math from the University of Arkansas in 1991, his master's in education administration from the U of A in 2001 and his district level administrators license from the U of A, Harding University and the University of Central Arkansas in 2002, his resume states.
Andy Ashley
Ashley has served as superintendent of Cedar Ridge School District, located in Newark, since 2015, according to a press release from the school. Previously, he served as principal of Vilonia High School from 2010 to 2015, and as assistant principal from 2005-2010, his resume states. He has also served as an adjunct professor for UCA, as an assistant principal of Lonoke High School, and as a math teacher and basketball coach at the Lonoke, Cabot and Vilonia school districts.
Ashley earned his bachelor's degree in education, with a major in kinesiology and physical education, and a minor in math from the U of A in 1999, his master's in educational leadership from Harding University in 2005, his specialist in educational leadership from the U of A in 2012 and his doctorate of educational leadership for the U of A in 2018, his resume states.
Allen Williams
Williams has served Prairie Grove Schools since 2010, according to his resume. He was initially hired as school superintendent but was moved to the position of assistant superintendent of finance last summer after the school board held several special meetings over a two-week period, going into executive session each time, according to a report in the Washington County Enterprise-Leader. Board members did not release any information about the change, saying the decision was a personnel issue.
Williams previously served as assistant superintendent for business affairs of the Springdale School District from 2007-2010, principal of Springdale High School from 2003-2007, assistant superintendent of Vilonia School District, as an adjunct professor for UCA, principal of Vilonia Junior High School, and assistant principal of Springdale High School and Southwest Jr. High in Springdale. He began his career as a math and chemistry teacher.
Williams earned his bachelor's degree with a major in math and a minor in chemistry from UCA in 1986, his master's in secondary school leadership from UCA in 1989, and his doctorate in education administration from the U of A in 1994.
Wayne Fawcett
Fawcett has served as superintendent of Paris Schools since 2012, according to his resume. Previously he served as superintendent of Drew Central Schools in Monticello from 2008-2012, as director of facilities management for the Great Rivers Educational Service Cooperative in Helena from 2007-2008, as superintendent of Bald Knob Schools from 2005-2007 and as principal and athletic director of Marion High School from 1997-2005. Overall, he has 35 years of experience in education, including experience as an assistant principal, gifted and talented coordinator, teacher and coach.
Fawcett earned his bachelor's degree in education from Ouchita Baptist University in 1982, his master's in education from the U of A Little Rock in 1988, his superintendent certification from Arkansas State University in 2000 and his doctorate in education from Harding University in 2017, his resume states.
General News on 04/07/2019