Fort Smith School Board president discusses superintendent search plan

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education is preparing for a search that could begin in January 2025 for a superintendent to oversee a district with more than 13,000 students and more than 2,000 employees.

Dr. Courtney Morawski, wife of FSPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Morawski, on Monday (Dec. 16) was named the lone finalist for Granbury Independent School District superintendent of schools in Granbury, Texas.

Texas law requires a 21-day waiting period before a contract can be signed, which means it is not definite she will take the position until Jan. 6. However, Terry Morawski told the board Monday (Dec. 16) that if all goes as planned he intends to submit his letter of resignation once her contract is signed, said School Board President Dalton Person.

“It is always possible something could happen, but it appears he will be leaving,” Person said, adding that Morawski said he will leave at the end of this contract year on June 30.

Person said that Morawski does not have a job lined up in Texas and he does not believe he will go to work for a school district there. Morawski’s superintendent salary is $253,838.

“His intention is to support his wife as she pursues her dream. I really respect that,” Person said.

But a superintendent leaving makes some work for the school board. Person said the district is going to publish a request for qualifications (RFQ) soon for search firms that can help the board locate the best superintendent for the district.

“As president of the board, I’m going to reach out to firms that might have an interest in submitting an RFQ. It will be published through the district,” Person said.

The next step, Person said, is for the school board to have a special called meeting in mid-January to discuss possible firms.

“I would like to present the board with several options for consulting firms. We may do interviews before we hire a firm to engage in performing the search for our next superintendent,” Person said.

The board also will encourage qualified staff and interested parties in the region to apply for the position, he said.

“But we will not limit ourselves in finding the best person for the district,” Person said. “I also would like to move fast on this. I do not want this to be a decision we make July 1.”

Ideally, the board will be able to find someone reasonably soon and that person would be able to work with Morawski for a smooth transition in administration, Person said.

FSPS has 27 campuses including two high schools, four middle schools, 18 elementary schools, an alternative education center, an adult education center and the Peak Innovation Center. The district employs more than 2,200 and has approximately 13,700 students.