Haxtun Board of Education selects Jones from initial 10 applicants

Following a long application and interview process, the Haxtun Board of Education selected the next Superintendent of Haxtun Schools. The Board voted to appoint Aron Jones as Superintendent starting July 1. That decision came on Tuesday afternoon, May 14 following candidate in-person interviews earlier that day and a community meet and greet the night prior.

The search for a new superintendent began in March. At that time, the local school board partnered with McPherson & Jacobson, LLC an executive recruitment and development firm used by the Haxtun School District in the past. Over the course of several weeks, McPherson and Jacobson created a job posting and collected applications; 10 in total.

Of those, school board members reviewed video introductions from each candidate as well as their applications. From those 10, the search was narrowed down to three candidates, Jones, Barry Schaeffer and Todd Bissell.

Those three candidates visited Haxtun last Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday morning brought on-site, in-person interviews and school tours. Later that day, the Board of Education met in executive session to discuss their choices. That closed-door meeting included board members, principals Becky Heinz and Amanda Ridlen and Business Manager Debbie Myers.

In just under an hour’s time, the Board returned to regular, open meeting to vote on their final selection. Jones’ appointment came unanimously.

Jones is currently principal and superintendent of Woodlin High School. He and his wife Vanessa have one son who just recently graduated from high school. His contract start date with Haxtun Schools is July 1.

After appointing a new superintendent, the Board moved on to regular business for the monthly, May meeting. In doing so, they first approved the personnel report as presented by current Superintendent Marsha Cody. Paige Thompson was named Certified Preschool Director; Dustin Seger was approved as Junior High Assistant Football Coach and Jessica Firme resigned from her position as elementary PE teacher and cheerleading sponsor.

The Board also:

• Approved disposing of bus four and seven by June 28; and

• Approved changes to the classified schedule to reflect pay for CDL and non CDL bus drivers.