Two school districts plan to start 2019-20 with new superintendents
As the 2019-20 school year approaches, two school districts are looking at a change to primary leadership for the district.
Both Smackover-Norphlet and Strong-Huttig will start the new school year with a new superintendent.
Smackover-Norphlet
Smackover-Norphlet interim Superintendent John Gross took over for the 2018-19 school year while the school district searched for somebody to fill the position permanently.
The school board hired McPherson & Jacobson LLC in September to help lead the search. During their first meeting with the board, they sat down to create a list of goals for what kind of person the board members wanted to help lead the district. They landed on a list of 10 primary criteria:
Communicator Manages budget Organizational skills Willing to work Community involved Approachable and respectful Educational leader Not a “yes person” Compassionate Innovative
In January, the board was presented with six potential candidates and decided on three to interview.
By the end of January, the board voted unanimously to hire Jason Black as the new superintendent.
Black is coming from the Hallsville Independent School District in Texas where he has served as director of special federal programs. However, he grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, before attending Louisiana Tech. He also earned his superintendent certification in Texarkana.
Black, who is the father of three, said he plans on using everything from his background in his new position. He has served as a junior high school principal at two school districts in Texas, an elementary school principal and a coach. Black is also a former U.S.
Marine, and said he gets inspiration from teachers, coaches and others who were there for him in tough times.
“Coming up through the ranks of education, being around teachers, (and) the planning that goes into it, the determination and the grit to stay with it when there’s going to be tough times ahead," he said.
He said he looks forward to "building those relationships, meeting people from all walks of life and being able to find a common goal to get things done the way they need to be done for the kids.”
Black said his goal for his first year as superintendent is to focus on building relationships and learning about the needs of the area.
When it comes to Black’s philosophy on education, he said it’s all about the students and encouraging a good work ethic.
“The kids come first," Black said, adding that every decision needs to come back to what is best for the students in the long run and how will it best prepare them to make it through the school system. “I’m big on if you have a really good work ethic and you have a good attitude and you know how to work as a team, there’s no boundaries to what you can obtain.
“I really try not to over complicate things. I want to make it to where our kids understand what our expectations are and that if they will work hard to meet those expectations, we’re going to be there for them when they get into some adversity and we’re going to be a team to overcome it and get it done.”
Strong-Huttig
Along with the Smackover-Norphlet School District, the Strong-Huttig School District also plans to start the school year with a new superintendent.
Jeff Alphin, who stepped into the position in 2016, announced his retirement at the January school board meeting, saying he felt it was time to focus on other activities.
“I have been employed in education for 25-plus years,” Alphin said. “I am a director and trustee of Philadelphia Cemetery and involved in other church activities.”
The school board is leading the search for his replacement, and Cindy Smith, Strong-Huttig School Board President, said she’s hopeful that the district will be able to make a hire soon. Alphin’s last day will be June 30.
Smith said the district has already received about 12 applications for the position that the school board and leadership team will be going through to make a hire.
Smith said the district is looking for somebody who is knowledgeable in business and how to improve academics. Also, they’ll be looking at leadership, communication, vision and goal setting for the applicants, with a focus on academics.
“We’re just hoping that we can get a new superintendent who has good business practices for maximizing academics and achievements for our kids,” Smith said.