Sheriff accepts job as director of security for school district

FORT SMITH — Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck has been hired as the school district’s first director of security and facilities, according to a district news release.

Hollenbeck has served as sheriff since 2011 but announced in January that he would not seek re-election. A news release said he will begin his new job Nov. 19.

Hollenbeck said in the news release that he was grateful to be offered the position.

“Having the chance to stay in public service and getting the honor to be in a position to protect our students and to help provide a safe learning environment is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

Hollenbeck will oversee development of security upgrades in the district’s schools.

The district will spend more than $5.5 million in tax money over five years on security improvements, according to the Vision 2023 program, an initiative that involved 167 stakeholders who developed a strategic plan for continuous improvement in the district over the next five years.

Work will include controlled access systems for every campus, security entry storefronts at all elementary schools that aren’t currently equipped, exterior lighting improvements at all campuses, and interior and exterior improvements for disability access at all campuses.

Plans to add walls in open classroom space at Barling, Cook, Morrison and Woods elementary schools also are considered security improvements. Currently, open space containing two to four classrooms doesn’t have doors that can be locked.

The district also will hire three certified school security officers that will raise the number of officers in the district to seven, the release said.

School Board President Susan McFerran said she is excited about Hollenbeck taking on the new position, according to the release.

“It’s exciting to think of how his experience and talent will positively impact students and teachers in the future,” she said.

Sebastian County’s county judge, David Hudson, said Hollenbeck contacted him Monday and told him that he would accept the school district position and would submit a letter of resignation as sheriff.

The sheriff’s term of office expires Dec. 31.

Hudson said he expected the Sebastian County Quorum Court to consider a resolution at its Oct. 16 meeting declaring a vacancy in the sheriff position and appointing a replacement to serve out the remaining six weeks of the term.

Sebastian County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Hobe Runion was elected sheriff after defeating two candidates in the May 22 primary and will take office Jan. 1.