The Newport Board of Education announced Tuesday that its interim superintendent, Matt Atkins, has been selected as the permanent superintendent of Newport Independent Schools.
The Newport Independent School District appointed Atkins as its interim superintendent on June 25 of last year. Atkins was appointed to the interim role after then-superintendent Tony Watts resigned in May.
Prior to filling the interim role, Atkins served as principal of Newport Primary School since 2017 and graduated from Newport High School in 2000. He has worked in the district for 19 years.
“Newport Independent, the city of Newport means a great deal to me,” Atkins said after Tuesday’s vote. “I’m a graduate of Newport. I’ve had the privilege of serving this district as a teacher, a coach, a principal. This community and our schools have really shaped who I am. So, given the opportunity to step into this role is something I’m really proud of, and it’s something that I don’t take lightly.”
According to the Newport Independent Schools superintendent’s contract of employment, Atkins will earn an annual salary of $165,000 during the first year. The contract states that his salary for the remaining years will be mutually agreed upon and cannot be lower than his previous year’s salary. It also requires that any raise be at least the greater of 1.5% or the increase given to other certified employees, such as teachers and counselors.
The agreement terms are for four years, from July 1 to June 30, 2030, subject to renewal and/or extension.
According to statistics from the Kentucky School Boards Association, which consulted on the effort, 12 applicants applied for the role: seven in-state and five out-of-state. There were nine men and three women. Of the 12 people, two were superintendents, three were central office personnel, three were principals and four were considered “other.”
“We interviewed some candidates who were very senior in education, had experience with turning around schools, and so they were very viable candidates,” said Newport Board of Education Chair Ramona Malone. “What we were proud of was the information that they shared with us on what they would do to continue to take Newport to the next level, is what this young man [Atkins] is already doing.”
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.
The Newport city manager, assistant city manager and mayor were in attendance at the announcement.
“As a Newport graduate, seeing, after decades, different superintendents through here, seeing someone who went through the school, it’s so impressive,” said Newport City Manager John Hayden. “I know it’s inspiring for our kids. We’re very excited. We’ve already had multiple meetings with Matt during his time as interim. I think our entire staff has been impressed with professionalism, with the vision that he brings.”