Bolivar Superintendent Richard Asbill, or 'Sawyer's dad,' announces plans to retire

Bolivar Superintendent Richard Asbill has spent his entire education career in southwest Missouri. He does not plan to leave but he is ready for a new chapter.

Following the school board meeting Thursday, Asbill made public his intent to retire at the end of the 2023-24 year. A national search will be launched to find his replacement.

This is Asbill's third year in Bolivar and his third stint as a superintendent in the Ozarks. He led the Southwest district in Washburn for four years and Cassville for 11 years.

"I really want to take some time to focus on my family," said Asbill, 51. "A superintendent's job … it takes a lot of time mentally and emotionally and physically."

He is married to Kari, a reading teacher. Their only child, Sawyer, has special needs and will graduate from Bolivar in May. He will not be able to live independently and they want to spend time with him and explore his options, as far as a next step in life.

Asbill said the time in Bolivar has been both challenging and rewarding. Asked about his favorite part, he said it was the way families have embraced his son, who sometimes helps his wife work the car line at school.

"I have so enjoyed seeing my son engage with a new community. There are so many parents and students that know Sawyer. He helps my wife in the pickup line. That is the best memory — the kindness and love that strangers have extended to Sawyer," Asbill said.

"When I go to Walmart or somewhere and people go 'Are you Sawyer's dad?' I am excited about that. I'm proud of the work I do but it's really nice to be known as Sawyer's dad."

"Lifted our district to a new level"

In 2021, Asbill emerged as the choice from among 24 applicants for the 2,900-student district in Polk County, a half-hour north of Springfield.

Board president Paula Hubbert said Asbill provides knowledge and guidance to gain ground on district priorities in finances, operations, student activities and academics.

“He demonstrated a leadership style that utilizes two paths to improvement: expectations and accountability. His leadership through the Liberator 2025 campaign and his day-to-day knowledge of the best practices in education have lifted our district to a new level of professionalism and academic achievement," Hubbert said, in a release.

"He and his family have become valued members of our school community. We wish them the best and thank them for investing their time and talent in Bolivar.”

Hubbert credited Asbill's financial expertise in making several projects a reality including increased school safety and security, a gym that doubles as a FEMA storm shelter, and the beginning phases of Liberator Park.

The board will launch its search with the help of the Missouri School Boards' Association with the goal of finding its next leader by February. Asbill's current pay is $187,636.

In early November, voters in Bolivar rejected a request from the district to become part of the official service area of Ozarks Technical Community College.

If voters had approved the move, a tax levy of 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation would have been effective Jan. 1. In exchange, Bolivar residents who enrolled at OTC would have paid significantly lower tuition.

Asked if that defeat had an impact on the decision to retire, Asbill said no.

"I was disappointed because I really felt like that was a piece of our future that we really needed," he said. "I've seen ballot issues fail. I've been part of recommendations that haven't been approved by a board. Those are just part of being a superintendent. I go back to the drawing board and look at different pathways."

"Proud of my agriculture roots"

Asbill was born in South Carolina and his family moved to southwest Missouri in the 1980s. A 1990 graduate of Pierce City High School, he attended Crowder College and then Missouri State University.

He has bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees from Missouri State. His doctorate of education is from Southwest Baptist University.

He started his career in Cassville as an agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor. He moved into administration after developing an alternative school, which served Cassville and neighboring districts.

More: After lead testing, Bolivar district shuts off two water fountains at primary school

Asked what he plans to do next, Asbill said does not yet know. "I really am very proud of my agriculture roots so I could return to a farm and be very happy."

Then he joked: "I've got my bus driving license and I heard the Commissioner of Education (job) for Missouri is open so I have some options."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bolivar superintendent and 'Sawyer's dad' announces plans to retire