By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing has been named one of the finalists for the superintendent position at Conway Public Schools in Arkansas – a 9,500-student school district, according to multiple news sources in Arkansas.
Gearing, who has served as superintendent since August 2019, did not notify the LISD Board of Trustees of his job search prior to the finalist announcement.
“While this announcement came as a surprise to the board, we want to assure our community that the board remains dedicated and focused on our purpose — serving students, supporting staff and continuing the important work happening across our classrooms and campuses every day,” the district shared. “The Board of Trustees will continue to ensure stability, transparency and progress for our district regardless of any outcome.”
In the closed session of the LISD Board meeting on November 20, the board can discuss personnel matters. Agenda item 9.D. may cover the subject. It is entitled “Texas Government Code 551.074: deliberation regarding Superintendent contract”.
LISD has more than 42,000 students across 48 campuses that stretch across some 200 square miles.
Gearing and three other finalists were among 16 applicants for the top job at Conway Public Schools, Jeff Standridge told the Arkansas Times late last week. He is a consultant based in Conway, which is 30 miles north of Little Rock.
The search for a new Conway superintendent was initiated after the board voted to buy out the contract of the previous superintendent Jeff Collum over the summer.
According to the Arkansas Times and other news sources, the other finalists are Jason Black, interim superintendent of Conway Public Schools; Jennifer Barbaree, superintendent of the Pine Bluff School District; and Tamekia Brown, executive director of elementary education in the Waco Independent School District.
The Conway board plans to do initial interviews with the finalists on Dec. 8, 10, 11 and 17.
Standridge has said the prospective superintendent will need to be offered a total compensation of between $275,000 and $300,000 to attract quality applicants, according to an article in the Log Cabin Democrat.
Leander ISD wants to reassure the community that the district continues to focus on its work.
“We are deeply proud of the work being done in Leander ISD — by our teachers, support staff, leaders, families and, ultimately, our students. Together, we remain focused on what matters most — providing high-quality student experiences for every student and ensuring #1LISD continues to thrive,” shared Crestina Hardie, LISD chief communications officer.
