Scott Dill is leaving Houston Schools to lead a larger district in the state.
Dill was hired late Thursday night as the next superintendent of Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools. He will complete the current school year in Houston and officially begin his new duties July 1.
Dill said he applied for the Poplar Bluff job around Thanksgiving and was first interviewed about two weeks ago. He had a follow-up interview last Monday with the school board as one of three finalists.
“I was not necessarily looking for a job at this point in my career,” Dill said. “A specific and unique opportunity presented itself. I have career ambitions. I aspire to continue to larger school districts, bigger issues and bigger building projects.
“After much discussion, debate and prayer, Mrs. Dill and I felt it was in our best interest to pursue this.”
Along with the opportunity to join a larger district, Dill said he was intrigued by the chance to lead more than $50 million in improvements on the Poplar Bluff campus, including a new high school and $5.8 million sports complex. He also said the bigger school presents more educational opportunities for his daughters: Caroline, a freshman, and Maura, a fifth-grader.
During the interview process, Dill discovered Poplar Bluff Schools uses the same teaching structure as well as substitute teaching and accounting software as Houston Schools.
“Several pieces fell into place, and it felt right,” Dill said. “There are several opportunities around the state, but this one resonated with me. I’m very pleased they’ve extended me this opportunity.”
The Poplar Bluff school board held five closed session interview meetings during the course of three weeks, according to the Daily American Republic. Dill was a finalist along with Bob Case, the district’s junior high principal, and Rod Priest, the associate superintendent.
The DAR said a vote to hire Dill last Monday was split with three members of the seven-person board casting “no” votes. A second vote to hire Dill was held three days later. He was unanimously approved.
“Scott has the enthusiasm and vision to help our school and community achieve our most important goal: to provide our children the best education available,” said John Scott, president of the Poplar Bluff school board. “Scott will not only be a great addition to our administrative team but he will also be a great addition to our community. Throughout our vetting process, it became very clear that he is well liked in Houston and has done an excellent job there. I know he is anxious to immerse himself in our community as well.”
Dill, who spent the first 10 years of his educational career at Macks Creek, joined Houston Schools as middle school principal in 2007. He was hired as superintendent in January 2012 after one month as “acting superintendent.”
Dill was the visionary behind a $4 million bond issue that received 72-percent approval from voters in April 2013. The featured piece was a two-story structure that connected the middle and high school buildings and included a new library. The bond issue also repaired roofs on four district buildings, put air conditioning inside Hiett Gymnasium and nearly doubled the size of the cafeteria.
Dill said the construction project and forming a strong relationship between the school district and community were his proudest moments of his time in Houston.
“Leaving Houston is and will continue to be very difficult,” Dill said. “I love these people. I love my teachers, my administrators and my kids. Even though I’m leaving the school district, a large part of my heart will remain here.”
Dill’s wife, Amy, is the director of the Exceptional Child Cooperative. She was previously Houston’s elementary principal before being hired in her new role prior to the 2015-’16 school year. She has not resigned, but Scott Dill said she will.
“There is nothing official at this point, but I wouldn’t go without her,” he said.
Dill, who resigned one week after Houston High School principal Charlie Malam announced his retirement, is under contract with Houston Schools through the 2017-’18 school year. The school board met in special session Tuesday night to discuss the situation.
Dill emphasized although he will be leaving this summer, he will continue to give his best to Houston Schools until that time arrives.
“We will keep the pedal down,” he said. “We have so much good work remaining to do. There will be no hint of a lame duck here. As long as I’m afforded the opportunity, we will keep advancing the cause of kids.”