The Broken Arrow Board of Education has formally approved a contract for Jarod Mendenhall to be the next Broken Arrow Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2010.

The Board action also brings focus to the transition planning underway between Mendenhall and current Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gary Gerber, who is retiring from the School District following his last day on the job on June 30, 2010.

Dr. Gerber indicated that he and school staff are doing all that they can to assist Mendenhall so that the transition of decision-making power will go from Dr. Gerber to Mendenhall in a smooth fashion beginning July 1, 2010.

“Together with the Board of Education we are crafting transition activities that will assure that Mr. Mendenhall has the information necessary to make a fast start in his first one hundred days on the job,” Dr. Gerber said. “Few people understand the size of the job with a budget of $100-million and nearly 2000 employees the district is the largest employer in Broken Arrow and one of the largest in Tulsa County.”

Mendenhall expressed appreciation for the Board’s having already allowed him to begin transitional work.

“The Broken Arrow BOE has afforded me the opportunity to begin the transition this spring.  I have been meeting weekly with Dr. Gerber to receive updates on issues affecting the 2010/2011 school year.  Most of the information has focused on budgeting, staffing, and bond issue implementation.  I have also set up meetings with each Board member to begin developing relationships and plans for next year.  I am looking forward to beginning officially as the Broken Arrow Superintendent July 1st.”

The contract approved with Mendenhall accelerates transition activities starting May 24, 2010.

Mendenhall will begin working from an office at the Education Service Center during June, meeting with staff and community as necessary and learning the daily operations.  Dr Gerber continues in the role of Superintendent until June 30 and the Board has made it clear that it supports Dr. Gerber fully in the decision-making role until that time.

Dr. Gerber also stated that he is pleased to be involved in this process with Mendenhall.

“I find him to be very personable and approachable and a quick study on educational issues,” Dr. Gerber said of his meetings with Mendenhall. “For the overall good of the school district and the future success of the district, I take this transition planning as one of the most important tasks I will do in the next three and half months.”