Education chief picks tech official

Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key has named Donald Benton to be assistant commissioner for research and technology.

Benton, 48, replaces Eric Saunders, who left the Arkansas Department of Education earlier this summer to become an assistant superintendent in the Benton School District.

As assistant commissioner, Benton will oversee technology initiatives and resources. He also will oversee the Arkansas Public School Computer Network.

Benton most recently served as an assistant professor in educational leadership at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, a position he held since 2009.

He also has been the director of the Hot Springs Technology Institute since 1998 and founded Schools Without Walls, which provides professional development for technology leaders and educators, in 2010. He previously served as the director of technology and information, information technology security officer/ disaster recovery, technology plan developer and E-Rate coordinator at the Hot Springs School District.

Benton has a bachelor’s degree in vocational business education, a master’s degree in building level leadership and is currently is pursuing a doctorate in educational technology from Boise State University in Idaho.