Educator rejects Fayetteville offer
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
The only finalist interviewed for the Fayetteville School District’s superintendent position, Bryant Superintendent Richard Abernathy, has decided to stay put.
The Fayetteville Board of Education now will restart the application process to find a successor for Superintendent Bobby New, who is scheduled to retire in June 2009.
At a special meeting Monday, the Fayetteville school board unanimously authorized Board President Steve Percival to negotiate a contract to hire Abernathy, who has worked for Bryant since 2003, and return it for final approval.
Percival said he presented an offer to Abernathy on the phone Wednesday afternoon, and Abernathy said he would discuss it with his family.
Abernathy turned the job down Thursday morning.
“He just said he thought it was in his best interest to stay there for his family and himself,” Percival said.
“It has no reflection on the Fayetteville School District.... I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve found out about them,” Abernathy said. “It was just the best decision for my family.” Abernathy, 43, and his wife, Paula, have two children, ages 16 and 14, who are in high school. The Bryant School District released a news release approving Abernathy’s decision to stay.
“We are elated that Richard will continue to serve our community and district,” Bryant Board of Education President Brian Passmore said in the statement.
Percival said he will probably discuss re-opening the search at the next board meeting, and that the board will explore the possibility of hiring a firm to handle the next search.
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