Crittenden County Superintendent of Schools Rachel Yarbrough is leaving her 6-year post to serve in the same position for Webster County Schools. Webster County Board of Education member Jeff Pettit said the decision was unanimous among those involved in the search process.
“Of the fifteen candidates, there were only five that had superintendent experience and four of those were not currently working as superintendents. So, the only recommendation the search committee sent the board was Dr. Yarbrough,” Pettit said.
Yarbrough has plenty of ties to the area; she is a Webster County native and graduate of Webster County High School. After operating in the Webster County school system for 19 years, she assumed her position on the Crittenden county board. Prior to the move, Yarbrough worked as the Webster County Assistant Superintendent.
Pettit said public feedback to Yarbrough’s return has been positive.
“We look very forward to what Dr. Yarbrough will bring to the county,” Pettit said. “I do think that there’s already a culture and a climate shift already just knowing what kind of leader she is.”
Yarbrough’s hiring is one of many recent changes including the resignation of former superintendent James Kemp, and the election of 3 new members to the board.
Former Graves County Superintendent Pete Galloway served in Kemp’s stead during the search. Yarbrough will succeed Galloway July 1st and receive an annual salary of $120,000 for 4 years.
