There are 12 applicants under consideration for the next Newport Independent Schools Superintendent.
The Newport Board of Education held a special meeting on Jan. 7 with the superintendent search committee to have board members identify the characteristics and attributes they want in the next superintendent and introduce the search committee. According to a timeline set by the board in November 2025, the district hopes to name a superintendent by February.
The application period for the superintendent position closed on Jan. 5. According to statistics from the Kentucky School Boards Association, which is consulting on the effort, 12 applicants applied: seven in-state and five out-of-state. There are nine men and three women. Of the 12 people, two are superintendents, three are central office personnel, three are principals and four are considered “other.”
The Newport Independent School District appointed Matt Atkins as its interim superintendent on June 25. Atkins’ interim appointment came after a two-hour closed session with the school board on May 15, when then-Superintendent Tony Watts resigned. Atkins’ interim term will last for one year, and he can be named the permanent superintendent if he applies and is selected.
Consultant Tim Abrams was present at the special meeting. All applications will be submitted to Abrams for review.
The committee includes two Newport Independent teachers, Monique Wood and Esther Fatsy elected by the teachers, one Newport Board of Education member, Tim Curl appointed by the board chair (Ramona Malone), one principal, Nichole Hayden elected by Newport Independent principals, one parent, Nicole Reinhardt elected by a parent/teacher organization (since there is no active PTO in Newport this would be done through active advisory councils), and one classified employee from the district who is not a teacher, April Walsh and is elected by classified staff.
Abrams said the committee will meet five times over the next four weeks, including the night of Jan. 7, with homework in between. They will give their candidate recommendation to the board on Jan. 28.
“I hope you take the recommendation very seriously,” Abrams said. “After meeting them back in December, I know they’re going to take what you said serious, and they’re going to look at this real hard, because it impacts each one of their lives as well, because they’re working in school. Our parents have children in school at this time.”
The board said various qualities they were looking for in a superintendent as the search committee took notes. Some of those qualities include:
- Communication skills
- Holding people accountable but not ruling with an iron fist
- Servant leadership
- Collaborative-willing to work with parents, teachers, students, etc.
- Data-driven
- Boots on the ground/present
- Totally involved in the Newport community from its East to its West side. Involved with city management, police and fire
- Team player
- Understands the dynamics at play in the district from race, culture and socioeconomic background
- Believes in all kids
- Financially astute
- Values customer service
“We need someone that believes that all kids can learn and they value the partnership of parents, all stakeholders, parents, community members, not just be aware, but value,” Malone said. “That’s what I want.”
For a full timeline of events leading up to the announcement of the permanent superintendent, click here.