JESSIEVILLE -- Ron Looper was named interim superintendent for the Jessieville School District during a special called meeting of the school board on Monday.
Looper thanked the Jessieville School Board and the community after the meeting for the opportunity to serve as interim superintendent. He has served twice before as an interim superintendent.
"It is not an easy task, but I have enjoyed doing it and I have enjoyed getting people to the next level or the next step where you get some continuity back in your program," Looper said.
Earlier in the day Monday, the board announced a special meeting in the Performing Arts Center, then announced Looper's hiring after a brief executive session.
The motion by Steve Garrett was seconded by Mike Semmler to hire Looper at a daily rate of pay of $395.83 and mileage for school-related expenses, with five vacation days included.
"My purpose for being here is to continue the growth of this district, put students first and utilize the resources that we have and the board provides to help the cause of educating the kids," Looper said. "I have no other agenda."
Looper retired as superintendent from Mountain Pine in 2006. He has lived in Hot Springs while retired. He said he has also been involved in some consulting work over the past eight years.
Members of the board accepted Superintendent Andy Curry's resignation Aug. 11. It was announced on Aug. 2 that Curry had submitted his resignation effective Sept. 1.
Curry was arrested July 24 in Euless, Texas, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. An officer observed Curry striking the curb twice in a black 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LT.
Curry refused a breathalyzer test and later had his blood drawn under a search warrant. He was released on the morning of July 25.
A lab report released Monday showed that Curry's alcohol concentration was 0.185. The legal limit is 0.08. The report was obtained by The Sentinel-Record under an open records request.
The supplemental test results report said the case would be filed with the Tarrant County District Attorney in Texas.
The board agreed on Aug. 13 to a severance package worth an estimated $150,000 in order for both sides to avoid taking legal action. The agreement also provided Curry with his school laptop computer and the Silverado. Curry's contract permitted him to drive the truck for personal use.
A four-hour executive session was conducted during last Wednesday's meeting as the board interviewed five candidates for the interim superintendent position. Additional candidates were Sherry Holliman, Larry Johnson, Jeanne Smith and Tommy Tyler.
"This just seemed like the right thing for me to do at this point," Looper said on Monday. "I was grateful for the opportunity to talk to the board and I am happy to be here."
Looper began working on campus on Tuesday. He said he will make himself available to meet with faculty, staff and members of the community and answer their questions once he settles in.
Local on 08/20/2014