That's what I enjoy most about this profession. 'As of July, there's not a definitive plan other than kind of looking forward to seeing what that next step and that next chapter of my life is, but I'm sure it'll involve interactions with people. And hopefully God opens up a few new doors that maybe I don't even know are even out there at this point with the flexibility of this schedule of time,' Murphy said. 'And so returning time to my kids, my wife, and my parents plays in heavily into this decision. 'A person that serves as long as I have in the superintendency has had to really make an emphasis on your career and you had to put career first and family first and second,' he said. His parents live roughly five hours away and he said this will give him the opportunity to visit them and return some time to them that his career kept so busy. We just don't know, you know, we'd like to engage in having that flexibility as both of us being retired together to kind of do the things that we've always dreamed of doing but never really had the time to do,' he said.įamily time also played into the decision. 'Whether that is just the local lakes, or whether that is national parks in Utah.

He said he and his wife gave the decision a lot of thought but have aspirations to do other things and create some flexibility in their schedules to possibly do more traveling, noting they both love the outdoors. We developed a leadership team that works together to meet the needs of our students and staff.'

He also noted strides in the physical and mental health of the district's students and securing a five-year grant to create a campus health clinic.Īcademically, he said, the district 'designated an early release time for teachers to work together, sustained and supported a culture of student and adult learning, supported great principals, and led teachers to improve instruction working to create a culture of adult learning. We've secured our office entry areas, buildings, and classrooms, formulated our own police department, took threats seriously, and developed a monthly safety checklist for each building,' he said in an announcement Tuesday to his staff. 'From land purchases, expanding parking lots, rerouting traffic flow on campus, and partnering with (the Arkansas Department of Transportation) to install a traffic light to increase safety. 'Collectively, we are sad that he's leaving, but we are looking forward to bringing in somebody who's excited to take us ahead and carry on the good work that's already been done,' she said.Īlthough voters last year rejected a 5-mill increase for the construction of a new elementary school, multipurpose building and other improvements, Murphy said he has enjoyed working in the community and seeing the progress they have made together. She said she believes there will be some big opportunities available for the way day-to-day education is trending. We've just made a lot of improvements districtwide, and we're kind of in a position now where we're poised for some academic growth we see coming, with all the new LEARNS Act (aspects) that's being handed down to us.' 'We've done a whole lot of improvements all over campus and even within staff. We feel like we've made some really good strides in the eight years that (Murphy's) been here,' she said. The board is looking forward to going through this process of finding the next person. But we are very excited for him and his wife getting to have some time to do things that they want to do. 'He's mentioned it off and on for awhile, so it wasn't a complete shock. The board hopes to announce the hire of a new superintendent by mid February, she said. She will also continue in her position through June 30, 2024.īoard President Dana Greeson said Tuesday that the announcement was not sudden, nor was the board taken by surprise. The school board accepted Murphy's retirement/resignation Monday night along with that of his wife, Ginger Murphy, who is a library media specialist at Fountain Lake High School.

It just feels like a good transitional time.' The district, we've accomplished some really great things with the LEARNS Act and other things that are coming. I just also feel like we're at a point, it's a good transition point. 'Thirty-six years in the education profession. 'I've served 20 years as a school superintendent and I just kind of feel like, one, it's kind of time,' he said Tuesday afternoon in his office. He will continue in the role until June 30, 2024. FOUNTAIN LAKE - After serving as superintendent of the Fountain Lake School District for the past eight years, Michael Murphy announced his retirement from the position effective at the end of this school year during Monday night's monthly school board meeting.

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