Strong-Huttig School Board votes in new superintendent

The Strong-Huttig School Board voted in a new superintendent Monday night. The Board voted in Kimberly Thomas to be the superintendent starting in July.

In January, after stating it was time for him to focus on other things after over 20 years in the business, current Superintendent Jeff Alphin announced his retirement which will be effective at the end of June.

The school board led the search for the new superintendent, receiving over a dozen applicants that was narrowed down to four by Monday night. Last week, applicants were interviewed before the board met for over 40 minutes to discuss and determine the best candidate.

School Board President Cindy Smith said in March that the district is looking for somebody who is knowledgeable in business as well as someone who knows how to improve academics. Board members also looked at leadership and communication skills, along with vision and goal setting with a focus on academics for each applicant.

“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.

Thomas graduated from Strong High School in 1994 before going to Grambling State University. She is currently the director of counseling at El Dorado High School. She will be the only female and the only African American superintendent in Union County for the upcoming school year.

She said the idea of going back to her alma mater is hard to put into words.

“I’ve been in education for a very long time, so it feels like now things are coming full circle,” Thomas said. “I was a student there, I was very active when I was enrolled in school there. I’m just trying to give back to the community that’s given so much to me and I feel like it’s a blessing.”

Michael Shine may be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.

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