As outgoing Russellville City Schools superintendent Rex Mayfield listened from the audience, both candidates seeking to succeed him indicated they would plan to continue, rather than undo, Mayfield's work during the last four years.
“Russellville is a friendly, community-minded city, and I'd like to be part of that,” Dr. Vicky Spear told RCS Board members. “Russellville City Schools don't need anything fixed. I'd like to take what Mr. Mayfield has done and you've done and say, 'What can we do to keep it moving forward?'"
Spear, in her first year as principal of Vinemont Middle School in Cullman County, was the first of two interviews on Thursday afternoon. Dr. Michael McInnis, assistant superintendent at Grenada County Schools in Mississippi, followed Spear.
Russellville High School principal Dr. Tim Guinn, the third candidate asked to interview, is scheduled to meet with board members next Wednesday morning.
“What you've done with this system has been very successful,” McInnis said. “This system has never had a failing school. There's a lot to be proud of here with the job done by your superintendent.”
McInnis, who served as superintendent of education for Union (MS) Public School District for six years, told board members his move from superintendent to assistant superintendent was a career decision.
“My kids graduated from [Union]. I left there to go from a 2A school to a 6A school," he said. "My background is as a teacher, both at the high school and collegiate level, special education director and an interim principal. I think I'll bring a lot of balance to the position of superintendent.”
Board member Brett Gist asked McInnis to define his ideal working relationship between a board and superintendent.
“The school board sets policy, and the superintendent implements and makes sure that policy goes into effect,” McInnis said. “The superintendent must also serve as an advisor to the board. Board members don't always have time to attend all school meetings, so the superintendent must be very keen and informed to stay in communication with the board."
McInnis also stressed the importance of open lines of communication between educators and parents. He explained that when Mississippi adopted Common Core standards, many community members didn't understand the basics of Common Core.
“Our teachers also had some difficulty, so we hired specialists in math and science to develop units of study for teachers," McInnis said. "We met weekly with teachers to modify and review progress with teachers. We succeeded with Common Core through community meetings, explaining to parents so everyone understood. We held meetings at each school that were advertised and promoted to explain Common Core and answer questions for community members.
“We had some tough questions, but by taking the time to meet with parents and community members, they bought in."
Board member Judy Pounders asked McInnis what curriculum cuts he would make in the event of proration or other reduced funding.
“Been there, done that,” McInnis said. “In my fourth year at Union we faced very significant cuts, around $750,000. My primary focus was on maintaining core curriculum areas.
“We were able to get through without laying anyone off, and we kept our music and band programs intact. The educational process includes academics, athletics and arts. You have to keep those going."
McInnis told the board he was an active part of an increased millage referendum as superintendent.
“We had community meetings to explain the need, had the press involved and were able to raise the millage. In my mind, you must explain the need, communicate it and move from there,” McInnis said.
McInnis, in his 25th year of education in Mississippi, said he was eligible for retirement after this school year, so he was actively looking for a superintendent position. If hired, he plans to move to Russellville with his wife.
“We sort of stumbled upon Russellville. But this is a beautiful community, and one we'd love to get more involved with," McInnis said. "And your schools are tremendous."
Spear and her husband George have two daughters, ages 29 and 27. Spear told board members she would establish a residence in Russellville if hired, but her family would remain in Cullman County indefinitely.
Spear explained her active involvement with school funding even though she has no superintendent experience.
“I teach school finance at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, so I'm familiar with the funding mechanism in the state of Alabama,” Spear said. “Also, I managed $4 million in federal programs for three-and-half years. Prior to that, I managed $1 million in textbook money before they took our textbook budget away."
Prior to becoming VMS principal, Spear served as the federal programs director for Cullman County Schools. Her job duties included coordination of textbooks for the system.
“Cullman County Schools were broke, actually worse than broke, after 2008," Spear said. "We proposed a one-half cent sales tax for schools, explained what we would spend the money for and were very transparent with those issues. And it was approved by voters.”
Spear told the board that all professional achievements she's had resulted from team efforts.
“I didn't accomplish anything by myself that's on my resume," she said. "It's because of people I surrounded myself with and associated with, so I give credit where credit is due."
Spear also told board members her idea of the working relationship between superintendent and board.
“You know this community better than I do. You know the expectations of this community. My concept is, you set the vision and I get it done,” Spear said. “These are the standards we want for our schools and community, and I'll go to work toward accomplishing those goals.”
Spear emphasized the importance of a vibrant career tech program, especially geared toward job training needed by local industry.
“Focus on career tech helps keep a lot of students in school. In Cullman County, we've tried something new and are working with several industries providing scholarships to students who apprentice at local industries,” Spear said. “They receive a small stipend and earn a scholarship to Wallace State Community College, our junior college in Cullman County.
“Our students need to be marketable and skilled in the areas of need for local industry. That also helps attract industry to the area. Local industries want to help. They need trained, skilled workers, but there's sometimes a disconnect in education from what we teach in schools and what these businesses want. A career center is important to bring business and industry into the schools to talk with students about the soft skills needed for that type of work."
Minutes after McInnis's interview, RCS Board president Greg Batchelor suffered a heart attack and was transported by ambulance to Russellville Hospital. Batchelor was later air-lifted to ECM Hospital and was in stable condition Friday.
Batchelor previously said the board hoped to make a hiring decision by early May, but that was far from the minds of fellow board members and Mayfield on Thursday night.
“Right now, our focus and prayers are for Greg and his family," Mayfield said. "That's what is important right now. I'm confident the board will make an informed decision in the best interests of our students, faculty and community, but obviously, our primary concern is for Greg's health."
