Message from the Superintendent

Dear Pea Ridge Schools Students, Staff, Parents and Community Members,

Welcome to another new school year. The 2012-13 school year promises to be a great one. I would like to take this opportunity to say I am honored and very excited to be your Superintendent of Schools. The Pea Ridge School District is one of the finest school districts in the state. Since serving as high school principal here at Pea Ridge for the last seven years, I have learned the tradition of excellence that exists is due to the wonderful people of our community and the hard work of our students and staff.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about me and my family. First and foremost, I am a husband and father. My wife Sheila and I have two adult boys 27 and 23 years old. My wife coaches and teaches at Central Junior High in Springdale. My sons will be entering their senior years of college and hopefully graduating in May. Our boys are far from perfect but they are good guys. I tell you this because my experiences as a father have helped to shape me as an educator and a leader.

I deeply believe in a quality and comprehensive education for all students. Pea Ridge is known not only for its academic excellence and extracurricular programs, but also for the positive and healthy relationships between staff and students. I take very seriously that you have entrusted the young people of this community to our care and expect our fine staff to give their best day in and day out.

My mission as your Superintendent is also my passion and is the reason I do what I do. That is, to maintain and grow a rigorous teaching and learning environment that provides every student with a sense of belonging while helping students to grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. It is critical to every student’s success that they graduate from high school with the habits of mind and skills necessary to pursue and achieve their goals and dreams. I was fortunate enough to have several days this past spring and summer to work with Dr. Roland Smith. It was truly a pleasure learning from an incredible teacher and now lifelong friend. Last spring and this summer, I visited schools and classrooms, participated in construction meetings and worked with our leadership team developing work goals that will maintain our excellence and drive us toward continuous improvement.

There is much for your students to be excited about when they return on Monday, Aug. 20. We will be opening our new Intermediate School downtown. All of our schools, most recently our new Pea Ridge Alternative Learning Academy, has been renovated and updated to give students and teachers the space and enhanced technology they need for 21st century learning. Finally, the process has begun for the construction of the new football stadium. Our community, school board and stakeholders are excited.

Respectfully,

Rick Neal

Superintendent