Interviewing Kimbrell for Superintendent of Bryant Schools
After last night’s meeting, the Bryant School Board is considering a candidate for Bryant Schools Superintendent that currently holds a State post. Tom Kimbrell was appointed as Arkansas Commissioner of Education by Governor Mike Beebe in September 2009. According to the “Right to Know” pages for State Salaries, Kimbrell was making $228,887.98 as of August 2013.
According to the Arkansas Department of Education website, he has “expertise in school finance, education policy, assessment, accountability and curriculum and instruction.”
It’s the next line that could end up being controversial, though: “He has been a key voice in the state’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards.”
I’ll admit that I’m not educated enough about the program to know whether I like it or not, but what I do know is that there are two very definite sides for and against Common Core.
Kimbrell formerly served as Superintendent for North Little Rock and Paragould and as Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AEAA). He also served as Assistant Principal at the Corning Schools and taught at Pocahontas Schools. He went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, earning a Bachelor, a Master and a Doctorate in Education. He currently lives in Cabot with his family.
Views: 314
Comment
Wonder why he would want a $150,000 job if he was making $228,887.98? But they have hired him now and he has taken the job.
http://www.arkansased.org/about-ade/commissioner
Dr. Tom W. Kimbrell, lifelong educator, was appointed Arkansas Commissioner of Education by Governor Mike Beebe in September 2009.
Kimbrell began his career in public education 30 years ago. He has served as a superintendent, director of fiscal services, assistant principal, teacher and coach.
Kimbrell is recognized for his expertise in school finance, education policy, assessment, accountability and curriculum and instruction. He has been a key voice in the state’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards. He represents the state on the governing board of PARCC—the Partnership for Assessment of College and Career Readiness.
Since joining the Education Department, Dr. Kimbrell has taken on an ambitious agenda to implement the new common learning standards, a next generation assessment system, a new teacher evaluation system and a new accountability system to determine how well schools and districts are serving students.
Kimbrell’s drive comes from a sense of urgency to improve educational opportunities for Arkansas students. His focus is on bringing positive, sustainable change to underperforming schools.
He earned his doctorate in education and his Master of Science in Education both from Arkansas State University, and his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He and his wife Tina live in Cabot, Arkansas with their children, Kason and Gracie.