When Rex Mayfield was hired by Russellville City Schools in 1981, the young teacher realized how much his career had been shaped by Calvin Parmer, his ag teacher at Russellville High School.
“I graduated from RHS in 1973. I had a great ag teacher in Calvin Parmer. He had such an influence on me going to college. I had such admiration and respect for him. He got the chance to go from ag teacher to the State Department of Education in 1981, and I got a call he was leaving and that the ag job would be open.
“At that point I saw an opportunity to come back home and maybe touch some young person's life like he touched mine,” Mayfield said.
So Mayfield resigned from Limestone County Schools and returned home. He taught agriculture until 1997, when he was hired as assistant principal at Russellville High School, his first administrative position. He became RHS principal in 2002, assistant superintendent in 2009 and took over as RCS Superintendent in March, 2011.
Mayfield announced Thursday he would resign effective July 31, 2015, bringing a near 34-year career with his home system to a close. Mayfield's decision was hardly a bombshell for the Russellville Board of Education. He openly discussed his plans with board members dating back to the time he was hired.
“I knew and made the board aware, even in the interview process, my plan was not to go past the summer of 2015,” Mayfield said. “I'll be 60 years old (in April) and felt that 39 ½ years in education were enough. I believe somebody else can come in with a fresh approach and it's time for me to step aside.”
As an appointed superintendent, Mayfield could not work for RCS for at least two years after his retirement. Though he could work in another school system, that's not in his plans.
“I'm really not sure what I want to do. I'm thinking someone in the community might see some value in my experience. But honestly, I have no plans right now,” Mayfield said. “My wife Jean and I may travel some, but we don't plan to do that the rest of our lives.”
The board extended Mayfield's contract one month at Thursday's meeting, from June 30, 2015, to July 31, 2015, so as to allow Mayfield to help his successor transition into the job.
“Since we don't have an assistant superintendent to help us along, we wanted to keep (Mayfield) an extra 30 days so he can help the new superintendent get his feet on the ground,” RCS Board President Greg Batchelor said.
When Mayfield took over mid-year in 2011, replacing Superintendent Don Cox, he vacated the assistant superintendent position. Board members decided not to fill it for the remainder of the 2011 school year due to financial constraints.
Mayfield's tenure as superintendent has been without the benefit of an assistant superintendent, something board members hope to change.
“We've always had the luxury before of having an assistant superintendent. Unfortunately, due to money limitations, we haven't had one and that position's been badly missed,” Batchelor said.
Board members established a timeline for the superintendent search that will begin with the position being posted on February 2nd. Candidates have until February 16th to apply, with the screening/interview process from February 16th through March 16th.
The system has a history of hiring assistant superintendents to succeed retiring superintendents. With no one serving in that position, will the board continue to focus on promoting from within the system?
“We sure will,” Batchelor said. “We'll be accepting applications from within and out of the system. When we post the job it will be for all qualified applicants, but certainly people within our system no doubt have the advantage of some history with Russellville City Schools.
“But that doesn't mean people outside the system don't have a shot at being hired for the superintendent job,” Batchelor said.
Mayfield said he's ready to assist the new superintendent in any way he's requested, but he won't have involvement in naming his successor.
“The board prepared a list of questions to ask applicants and requested I go over them and suggest additional questions pertinent to the job, but I will not be part of the hiring process in any way,” Mayfield said.
For his part, Mayfield believes he's leaving Russellville City Schools on solid footing for whomever sits at his desk come this summer.
“I'm sure our board will make a great selection. Our system is in good condition. There are some challenges out there. But if the new superintendent lets the people in this system work and do their jobs, he or she will succeed as superintendent,” Mayfield said.
