Morawski hired as Fort Smith Public Schools superintendent

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education voted to promote Dr. Terry Morawski as new superintendent at a special called meeting Tuesday (Nov. 10).

Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker announced he would leave the FSPS to take the superintendent position of Texarkana, Texas, Independent School District earlier Tuesday.

At the meeting, the board approved a mutual termination of Brubaker’s contract effective Dec. 31, 2020, conditioned upon him receiving a contract from the Texarkana School District.

Morawski, who works as the district’s deputy superintendent, will take over the position Jan. 4. A contract is to be negotiated, said School Board President Bill Hanesworth.

“I am humbled and I am honored. This is an excellent school district. I’m proud of the work that has been done so far, and I’m really excited to continue our success. Let’s do some great things,” Morawski said.

Morawski said he is continually “blown away” by the support of Fort Smith business leaders and community volunteers.

“[We] have what I believe to be the true secret sauce of an educational institution, an amazing staff and campus/district leadership who will go the extra mile for kids,” he said. “Everything is in place for FSPS to shine for many years to come.”

Morawski, who has served as the deputy superintendent in Fort Smith Schools since July 2018, has worked in public education for more than 20 years. During that time, he has held a variety of roles, including deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, chief operations officer and director, according to Zena Featherstone Marshall, FSPS executive director of communications and community partnerships.

While in Fort Smith, he has been part of the leadership team for the FSPS strategic planning process, Citizens Millage Committee, Citizens Capital Improvement Program Advisory Committee, and other initiatives, Marshall said.

“One of the things we tried to do as a board, initially, was to make sure that we had succession planning in our midst, and I wanted to thank Dr. Brubaker for establishing a leadership team and giving them the opportunity to flourish under his development and we look forward to growth within our midst internally, and I just thank the community for their continued support of this administration and the wonderful things we know will come forward with Dr. Morawski,” said Board member Talicia Richardson.

This year, Morawski is part of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fort Smith program. In 2019, he earned a Level 1 Certification as a curriculum auditor. He also completed the National Aspiring Superintendent’s Academy through American Association of School Administrators in February. In 2012, he was honored as a Health Care Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press for a school district health initiative.

Morawski and his wife, Dr. Courtney Morawski, principal at Cook Elementary School, have two sons, Jackson, a senior at Southside High School, and Lane, a sophomore at Southside High School.