MSD school board thanks Dr. Bill Roberson for tenure as interim superintendent

MARTINSVILLE — The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville held its monthly school meeting on Thursday evening.

School Board President Don Lipps opened the meeting by thanking interim superintendent Dr. William Roberson on what was his final board meeting.

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"It didn't take long for us to realize that he was the right guy for the job," Lipps said, complementing Roberson's leadership.

Roberson and his wife, Linda, were presented with a round of applause and a thank-you gift from the board.

At the end of the meeting, Roberson reflected on his professional journey. He highlighted how many school districts he served as superintendent of, each time saying that he'd never do that job again once he left. But he always did, accepting the call to service.

"I really do appreciate all the support I've had," Roberson said, thanking the board for their support of him in what he said he hopes to be the final chapter of his superintendent career.

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Roberson has served as interim superintendent for the district since July 2021 following the resignation of previous superintendent Dr. Jay Arthur.

Roberson will be succeeded by Eric Bowlen, the current Martinsville High School principal who the board tapped for the superintendent role back in April.

In Regular Business

The board approved two overnight field trips. One for the high school girls' basketball team to go to the East Central Shootout. The other for the high school girls' soccer team to visit Franklin College.

The board voted to accept three donations for Martinsville High School. The donations include a total of $1,250 from multiple donors and surplus equipment from the Wayne Township Fire Department.

The board voted to approve handbooks for substitute teachers, John R. Wooden Middle School, Bell Intermediate Academy, and the district's seven elementary schools. The high school handbook will be voted on next meeting once incoming principal Jeff Bell and his team have a chance to review it.

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The board also voted to approve several monetary items and received a presentation from a representative of Stifel Public Finance on the state of the school's finances.

Board member Michelle Baugh concluded the meeting by thanking the school system's staff that work all year long, even through the summer.

The next meeting of the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville Board of Trustees is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, at the Central Education Center, 389 E. Jackson St., Martinsville.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: MSD of Martinsville thanks Roberson for tenure as superintendent