The only applicant so far to replace the resigning Fayetteville Public Schools superintendent has taken himself out of consideration for the job.
Tom Kimbrell, the state Department of Education commissioner, phoned School Board President Tim Hudson on Sunday night (Feb. 2) to say he is no longer interested in the job. He had phoned Hudson on Jan. 20, expressing an interest in the post. The School Board interviewed him on Jan. 30.
Kimbrell said Sunday he and his family decided they would rather remain in Central Arkansas, Hudson said. Kimbrell lives in Cabot with his wife and two children.
Hudson said he thought Kimbrell was “uniquely qualified” to replace resigning Superintendent Vicki Thomas, but now that the state commissioner is out of the running, the school board will meet soon to decide on the best process for seeking new applicants. No date has been set for that meeting.
Thomas has said she is going back to her home state of Texas to take care of an ailing elderly family member. Her resignation is effective at the end of her contract period, June 30.
Thomas is paid $207,000 a year. Hudson said he expects the new superintendent to receive roughly the same salary.
