GENTRY — Randy Barrett, superintendent of Gentry Public School District, submitted a resignation letter to the school board on Nov. 21, making official his plans to retire following the current school year. Barrett's letter, which was accepted by the board, makes his last day June 30, 2017.
Barrett read his letter to the board, which stated: "It has been an honor to have served as the superintendent of the Gentry Public School District for this last quarter of a century. The greatest reward of the job has been the privilege of working alongside others, people within and without the walls of the school, in seeking to provide quality educational opportunities for the students we serve.
"Change is inevitable and constant in organizations and in families. The school district and the community have changed since the summer of 1992 when Regenia, our then two young sons - Jason and Jonathan, and I arrived. The school and the community have experienced the progress that has swept northwest Arkansas, and for the greater part, the change has been good for all. I thank God daily that He has allowed my family to be a part of that change. The challenge for our district and our community has been, and will continue to be, to ride the crest of change and not be swept away by it. Time alone will be the judge of the measure of our success.
"So said, I offer this letter of resignation effective June 30, 2017. With it comes my heartfelt appreciation to the school board for having allowed me to serve, my gratitude to the community for supporting our school's efforts, and my indebtedness to so many others for doing their part each day so that the children we teach have a good educational foundation for success in life."
Later that night, Barrett sent the following letter to school staff members by email:
"A man needs to keep his word and tonight I have kept at least one. About a year and a half ago, I told the Gentry School Board that I would resign effective at the end of 2016-17. Tonight I submitted my resignation letter and, like I have countless other personnel items over 25 years, recommended that they accept it . They did.
"I've attached it as I have always tried to be as transparent as possible in my role. I meant every word in it.
"While I suppose tonight makes me a "lame duck," so to speak, I also promised the board a year and a half ago that I planned to work in the same manner until the day come to walk out a door that I no longer had a key to re-enter. I intend to keep that word as well.
"Gentry Public Schools has great times ahead of it; so many good things await this district as long as you remain true to your calling.
"I'll save the good-byes for later; I have a few tasks to finish before I go home. See you tomorrow!"
Barrett also informed the board of his willingness to assist in any way needed in the selection process for a new superintendent.
Board members were instructed by Coy Cripps, board president, to be thinking about possible appointees to a screening committee to be involved in the process of hiring a new superintendent for the 2017-2018 school year.
General News on 11/30/2016