Top school post filled in Conway

CONWAY — The Conway School Board unanimously voted Tuesday to hire Jeff Collum — a former superintendent of the Benton School District — as its next superintendent.

“This task of hiring the next superintendent, the next leader for our school district, is the most important task a school board has,” Board President Trip Leach said. “It has been our priority from the beginning of this process to be sure we honor the monumental responsibility that is upon us.”

The decision came after a nearly six-month search, which began June 20 to replace Superintendent Greg Murry, who has filled the role since 2007. He is scheduled to retire next June.

Murry declined to comment on the hiring when approached after the meeting.

The board unanimously approved a contract that will begin July 1, 2021, and continue through June 30, 2024, to pay Collum $220,000 annually. Other compensation includes the use of a vehicle for business and personal use and the district will pay for all costs related to use of the vehicle, including fuel. Murry’s salary is $235,057. The contract requires Collum to relocate to Conway and live within the school district throughout his employment. He will be reimbursed for moving and relocation expenses up to $9,000.

Collum will also receive $1,000 per month in addition to his salary and has 15 days of vacation per year.

The board also approved a “consulting agreement” between Collum and the Conway School District. The agreement runs from June 1-30, 2021, and will pay Collum $975 per day.

The agreement does not list any specific duties Collum will perform during that month before his official start date.