Dr. Frank Mitchell, superintendent of the Vilonia School District, has a few important things to get done between now and the end of the 2013-14 school year — when he plans to retire.
Mitchell submitted his letter of resignation Monday night to the Vilonia Board of Education effective at the end of the 2014 school year — more than a year away. He wanted to give plenty of time, he said, for finding his replacement as well as replacing assistant superintendent Gary Lambert, who announced at last month’s meeting he will retire at the end of this school year. Another thing, Mitchell said he wants to stay another year to see the completion of the new intermediate school.
“I think that will be a good transition time,” he added. Mitchell has been in the education field since 1965 — 48 years. He has been superintendent at Vilonia for 27 years.
“I have been fortunate to be at a place that long,” he said. “It’s really a good place to work and live.”
From an early age, Mitchell said he knew he wanted to go into the education field — working as a teacher, principal and curriculum director. His first job was at White Hall and later at Foreman, Arkansas. Each place where he served, he said he learned something to help him along his way.
“Some of the places, I liked more than others but I’ve always been appreciative of where I worked and I always learned something new,” he added. He has seen a lot of changes during his tenure especially in technology and teaching techniques.
When asked what he will do after retirement, he said, he has no idea.
“I was told that I should have something to retire to,” he said. “I like to fish but that gets to be work. I don’t know yet. I’ve had a job since I was 10 or 11, I’m sure I will be able to find something to keep me busy.”
As well as heading up the district, Mitchell serves in the community volunteering in various capacities.
“There is one thing that I can guarantee,” he said. “I won’t sit around the house. I am not the type to just sit down and do nothing.”