Process continues to rename the Fort Smith Public Schools admin center

A process that began in February to name the administration center of the Fort Smith Public School District is moving forward, with former Superintendent Dr. Benny Gooden’s name the leading contender. A decision could be made by the school board during a May meeting.

According to the district, a committee was formed in February 2026 to establish a procedure for soliciting naming ideas for the center, which is located at 3205 Jenny Lind Road. First, the procedure was reviewed to ensure compliance with the district’s naming policies. After names were solicited from the public, “compliant names” were posted for 30 days on the district’s website and on social media.

Of the 53 submissions, 33 were for Gooden. Following are the top four naming preferences, according to the district.
• Dr. Benny L. Gooden Service Center – 33 public selections
• Fort Smith Public Schools Service Center (no change) – 5
• Ray Baker Service Center – 3
• Wayne Haver Service Center – 2

Baker was a teacher in the district for more than 45 years. He served on the Fort Smith Board of Directors for almost 10 years, and was the city’s mayor for 20 years. Haver spent 36 years as principal at Southside High School, and was employed by the district for 48 years. He unsuccessfully ran for Fort Smith mayor in 2018.

Gooden, who was the district superintendent for 30 years, retired in 2016. He was first hired as superintendent in 1986.

Gooden was raised in Clinton, Ark., and received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Harding University. He also received a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Missouri.

He was honored in 1992 by the American Association of School Administrators as the “Arkansas Superintendent of the Year.” In 1993, he was selected as one of 100 Outstanding School Administrators in North America by Executive Educator magazine. He was named “Administrator of the Year” by the Arkansas PTA in 1995 and in 1999 he received the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Educator award from the National PTA.

Following his retirement from the district, Gooden was hired by the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), and is now the senior executive assistant to the provost.

Dr. Barry Owen, a former assistant district superintendent and the director of institutional relations at ACHE, and Sean Carrier, former band director at Southside High School in the district, spoke during Monday’s (April 27) school board meeting in favor of naming the center after Gooden.

“His commitment to providing students and staff with the resources they needed contributed greatly to the success and pride of our school community,” Owen said. “Naming the Fort Smith Public Schools service center in honor of Dr. Benny Gooden would be a fitting and meaningful tribute to a leader whose legacy continues to shape our district.”

The cost for new signage at the center is estimated at $12,000, with some board members suggesting the cost should be paid with private donations. Carrier suggested that raising private funds would not be a problem. Kyle Parker, president and CEO of ACHE, previously addressed the board in support of naming the center after Gooden.

Board member Susan Krafft suggested someone reach out to Gooden to ensure “he does feel good about it.”

At the May meeting, the board will have a choice to select a name, continue seeking submissions, or decide to not take action. If the board selects a name, the district said it will make a public announcement, update district records to reflect the building’s name, install signage, and officially mark “the naming through an appropriate ceremony or dedication event.”