Pea Ridge board interviews Martin for superintendent job

PEA RIDGE — Having been with the Pea Ridge School District — as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent — are both his strength and his weakness, Keith Martin told School Board members Monday.

“I feel like I’ve been an outstanding employee for the past 22 years,” Martin said, “But it’s not what I’ve done, it’s what I think I can do.”

He said if he were using the position as a “springboard,” as many administrators do when accepting a position, he would have left 11 or 12 years ago when there were other opportunities presented to him.

Martin was initially hired at Pea Ridge as a teacher, was then the principal of the elementary school and, then, in 2006, was named the assistant superintendent.

He said he runs the dayto-day operation of the district and knows the district intimately.

“A lot of times, a traditional school is compared to that of a machine,” he told board members.

“But that’s simply not the case. Schools should be compared very much to an organism. We are not a simple celled organism that you can find in a rock… we are very complex.”

As the Pea Ridge School District moves to five LEAs (Local Education Agency) with the impending opening of the new high school, Martin said all of the systems have to function correctly and together.

“We must see ourselves as organic and not mechanical,” he said, explaining change and growth have to come from inside, not from the top down. “We have to grow our leaders. It’s not a position, a job title, a line on the salary schedule. We have leaders in every building, whether it’s a teacher or a bus driver. They’re they ones who will implement any change we have.”

“We have change coming … it’s quite frankly, the biggest shift since I’ve been here,” Martin said.

Martin answered questions by board members and sharing why he believed he was the best candidate for the superintendent’s position.

Upon announcing his resignation last month, superintendent Rick Neal recommended Martin as his replacement.

“We cut 415 W2 forms, that includes substitutes,” Martin said, explaining there are about 280 employees day-in and day-out. “Whoever is in this chair needs to be open and transparent and good at communication — show concern and respect efforts. Their (employees’) voice has to be heard. That’s critical.”

Martin’s wife, Wendy, is also an employee of the district.

“Wendy and I, she comes into this conversation as well, she’s more than a spouse, she’s an employee here in the district, are very conservative. We have a very small circle of friends.”

Saying he believes he can provide communication and leadership, Martin said it’s all about the students first, and building capacity within the administration, faculty and staff.

“One thing I’m adamant about … reducing the organizational silos,” he said, explaining students make three transitions as they move from one school to the next but there’ll be four next year.

Martin repeatedly referred to “guaranteed and viable curriculum” and said he’s committed to developing learning opportunities that are tied to future educational, employment and societal success. Kids are so different than they were 10 years ago.”

“Teaching is very much an art form. You have to hone your craft,” Martin said, emphasizing his commitment to mentoring teachers.

He said the growth in the district adds more students, but also provides more opportunities for all involved in the school.