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Superintendent Search

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Shaping the Future of Our Schools

As we embark on the important process of selecting a new superintendent, our focus is on transparency, community engagement, and excellence. This page is your central resource for updates and information about the search process, ensuring our community stays informed every step of the way.

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Our Commitment to Excellence

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education is committed to finding the best leader for our district. To ensure a thorough and efficient search, the board is working with a search firm to identify top candidates for the superintendent position. Board President Dalton Person emphasized the urgency of securing a strong leader who can seamlessly transition into the role. The board will consider both local and national candidates, selecting a superintendent who will lead with vision, integrity, and a commitment to educational excellence.

About the Board

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Superintendent Criteria

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education has identified key characteristics and qualifications essential for our next superintendent to guide the selection process and support our community's needs. 

The Fort Smith Board of Education is seeking a leader:

  1. That is a licensed central office administrator who has comparable experience in a district similar to the Fort Smith Public Schools District.
  2. That has classroom experience, values grade level reading and early literacy, and is supportive of all extra-curricular programs.
  3. That has strong communication skills, promotes the district internally and externally, builds relationships within the district and community, is approachable, innovative, and a good listener.
  4. That is a servant leader, an individual of integrity, high moral standards, is transparent, visible in the district, and assumes ownership of the district.
  5. That places students first in decision making, but also values the importance of quality staff.
  6. That understands school finance, and has the political acumen for handling state and local issues.

 

Timeline

  • February 18, 2025: The FSPS Board of Education met to discuss the Superintendent search. FSPS Board of Education President Dalton Person set up additional called board meetings, and the FSPS Board of Education have identified 20 candidates. At the upcoming March called school board meeting, the FSPS Board of Education will determine the finalists for the Superintendent role at FSPS. 
  • February 10, 2025: The district released a survey created by McPherson and Jacobson, LLC to collect public input on the qualities and qualifications desired for the next superintendent.
  • February 3, 2025: During a Called School Board Meeting, the Board discussed and established criteria essential for the next superintendent and contracted McPherson and Jacobson, LLC as the search firm to help the district. 
  • January 17, 2025: Dr. Morawski submitted his resignation effective at the end of the school year, June 30, 2025. 
  • January 8, 2025: The Board of Education approved engaging in contract negotiations with McPherson and Jacobson, LLC as the search form, pending the submission of Dr. Morawski's resignation letter. 
  • January 7, 2025: The school board convened at a Called School Board Meeting to review and discuss potential firms for the superintendent search. 
  • December 20, 2024: Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an "Executive Search Firm for Superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools." 
  • December 16, 2024: Dr. Courtney Morawski, wife of Dr. Terry Morawski, was named the lone finalist for the Superintendent position at Granbury ISD in Granbury, Texas. Dr. Terry Morawski plans to discuss a leadership transition with the Fort Smith Public Schools Board after Dr. Courtney Morawski’s position is finalized in January 2025. The Board anticipates Dr. Terry Morawski will leave FSPS at the end of his contract year on June 30, 2025.

Next Steps

  • Called School Board Meeting - March 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
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Our District

Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) serves over 13,600 students, providing rigorous academics, innovative programs, and strong support systems to prepare them for the future. The district includes two high schools, four middle schools, 18 elementary schools, an alternative education center, an adult education center, and the Peak Innovation Center for career-focused learning. FSPS cultivates an environment where students thrive both academically and socially, equipping them to become responsible citizens, lifelong learners, and engaged community members.

More about Fort Smith Public Schools

Related News and Information

Statement: Called Board Meeting Scheduled

STATEMENT

The Called School Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, is being convened to allow the Board of Education to review the five firms that have submitted proposals....