Mansfield's next district leader is third-generation Missouri educator
Clint Hall is a third-generation Missouri educator. He followed in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother, who each taught kindergarten for three decades in Ava.
Hall, the junior high and high school principal in Gainesville, was recently hired as superintendent of the 650-student Mansfield district in Wright County. He starts July 1.
"It has always had a reputation as being strong academically and being a tight-knit family and that was something that was very appealing to us," said Hall, 36.
Hall grew up on a family farm in Ava and graduated from Drury University. He taught high school history and math in Norwood, served as the elementary principal in Ava, and spent the past two years in Gainesville.
In Norwood and Gainesville, Hall was in districts that were part of the same Summit high school athletic conference as Mansfield.
"There was a school in the conference that was the preeminent school academically and that was Mansfield and so to be able to join (Mansfield) is a good feeling. I've had great experiences throughout in the Summit conference," Hall said.
"Mansfield is close to home. We live in Ava. My wife, she attended Mansfield as an elementary kid for a year and she still has family within the district."
The Mansfield school board voted Dec. 30 to hire Hall to replace Richard Wylie, a longtime Mansfield educator and leader whose contract ends June 30.
"This is a good progression forward for what has been an excellent school district," Wylie said.
Hall emerged as the top candidate from among a handful of applicants. He was offered a two-year contract and his starting pay is $105,000.
In announcing the hire, the Mansfield district described Hall as a proven instructional leader with a strong focus on communication, curriculum, parents and the community.
Wylie, who has interacted with Hall in recent years, said Hall is up for the challenge of leading a district. "Clint is an outstanding young man, very dynamic and is going to be a dynamic leader as he ascends to the superintendency."
Hall said he is eager to start the job, build relationships, and maintain high academic achievement. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education singled out eight schools in Missouri, including Mansfield Junior High, as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
He said early goals include listening and "getting the word out about all the good things going on there."
Hall also wants to understand why a recent ballot issue was rejected by voters. "My goal on day one is to meet with people within the district and learn what they think the next steps for the district need to be."
Hall graduated high school with Marshfield school leader Rocky Valentine, recently hired as next superintendent of the Logan-Rogersville district.
He has a graduate degree in administration from Missouri State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Lindenwood University.
He is married to Shelby Hall, a wedding photographer, and they have two children, Scarlett and Rolen.
Wylie spent 10 years in Mansfield as the high school principal and is wrapping up three years as superintendent. He is pursuing job options, in and out of public education.
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He said the decision to leave at the end of his contract was due to a mix of personal and professional reasons, and the board has known for a year that he planned to leave this summer.
"I maintained a 17-year career in education, which is pretty all-encompassing in terms of time and attention and I'd like to recommit some of the time and attention to other things," he said.
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: New superintendent in Mansfield worked in Ava, Norwood, Ganesville
