Halbert offered superintendent position in PW
Board to meet in special session Monday evening for formal vote
The Palestine-Wheatley School Board has named its new superintendent, pending a formal vote on the matter scheduled for Monday evening.
Board president Derrick Boileau this morning said he made the job offer to Ryan Halbert, who currently serves as the principal at the elementary campus.
According to Boileau, “good things are coming and it is a great day to be a Patriot.”
"I asked him if he would like to be the next superintendent of the Palestine-Wheatley School District and he said yes," said Boileau. "He is a hometown guy, and I think it is going to be a home run for us. I don't know how many times a district gets to hire one of their own to come back and lead the school district. I am excited for our teachers, our students and the entirety of our district because of this. I think we have good things coming.
"Mr. Sample, who is our interim superintendent, is going to be there to help Ryan with anything he needs, and he will have a network of other superintendents that can answer other questions," continued Boileau. "I believe it is a good situation. I really do. It is a great day to be a Patriot."
According to Halbert, the district, while already being a good school district, has the potential to be the best, not only in the area, but in the state.
"I am about as excited as you can be," said Halbert. "As most people know, I was born and raised here and went to school here from kindergarten through 12th grade. My first job was a summer program with the school district when I was 15. To be honest, this school is my life. I love this place. We are a very good school district right now and I feel like we have the potential to not only be the best school in the area, but to be the best school in the state. I am excited for myself, but I am also excited for the district and for our community."
Halbert said he has a “golden opportunity” at this time to work alongside Sample to “get his feet wet” as superintendent.
"I have been working for the school district for a total of seven years as a teacher and a coach," said Halbert. "I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2015 looking to be a football coach. I am really excited, it is a big job. I
have a golden opportunity right now to work with Mr. Sample. He has told me that he would stay on until the kids leave and that he is going to take me under his wing to get me started. He told me that if anything comes up, he will get me and we will go through it together."
Boileau said the district’s board will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, in the high school library for the official vote to hire Halbert as the superintendent.
Boileau said Halbert is considering two contract options.
"One contract is with the district’s house and the other is without it,” explained Boileau.
“He has a house here and has done a lot of work to it, so he may want to stay in his own house. His first option is for $93,500 per year, with $5,000 upon the completion of his certifications. This option includes the house with utilities and the superintendent’s truck. Option two is for $103,000 per year, with $5,000 upon the completion of his certifications, a $10,000 housing expense and the superintendent’s truck.” Each of the contracts is for two years.
“He just hasn't decided which option he wants to take at this time,” said Boileau.