The Dale Board of Education this week voted unanimously to hire a new superintendent beginning July 1.
After spending nearly 45 minutes in executive session, the board returned to open meeting and voted 5-0 to hire Will Jones as Dale’s new superintendent. Robin Wiley-Greene made the motion and Tim Collins seconded it.
Joining them in favor were President Roger Batt, Vice President Ronnie Newton and Clerk Josh Clark.
Jones is currently serving as superintendent of the Garber School District, board members said.
Batt confirmed the board received 27 or 28 applications for the position. He said that list was narrowed down to six and then further narrowed to two.
Acting School Supt. Ky Wilkins indicated Jones has been in education for about 20 years. It was pointed out that Jones had been at several schools before taking the superintendent’s position at Garber.
Batt was asked what attracted Jones to the position at Dale, and he replied, “Just the way Dale presents itself. He said he thought it was a perfect fit for him, his wife and daughter.”
Batt said the Garber School District is smaller than Dale, noting in athletics it’s Class A.
The board began a search for a new superintendent shortly after Wilkins announced at the January board meeting he was retiring as Acting Superintendent and Secondary Principal effective June 30.
He was named to that position effective July 1, 2020 following the retirement of longtime administrator and superintendent Charlie Dickinson.
In other business, Wilkins reviewed with the board revenue comparisons between February of 2021 and February of this year.