Picquet, Jones submit resignations to PCS Board
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
The Perkins County School Board is facing the task of filling not one, but two vacant administrative positions before next school year with the resignations last week of both Superintendent Phillip Picquet and Jr./Sr. High Principal Ben Jones.
Perkins County School Board President Chris Fryzek said he and the other five members on the board understand the monumental task that lies before them and are utilizing every resource to help fill the positions with the best people possible. This will include involving the community.
“We want several different stakeholders involved with the process (of hiring),” Fryzek said. “We welcome and are seeking input from the community.”
The hiring process for the district’s superintendent position will be coordinated by the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB), which offers a superintendent search service. However, the hiring process for the principal position will be coordinated by Picquet and the board, Fryzek said.
“NASB does not offer the hiring service for principals,” he said.
Superintendent Opening
After a combined 11 years of service to Perkins County Schools as principal then superintendent, Phillip Picquet’s last day with the district will be June 30, 2023.
Picquet was the high school principal for Grant from 2003-2005 when he accepted the middle school principal position with Waverly Public School. He then returned to Perkins County in 2014 when he accepted the superintendent’s position.
Picquet has accepted the position of director at Nebraska Educational Service Unit 15 located in Trenton.
“I had the goal to become an Educational Service Unit Director before my career in education concluded, and fortunately, this opportunity presented itself,” Picquet said. “I will work alongside schools to provide services to students and their school districts.”
School districts that make up ESU 15 are Hayes Center, Chase County, Dundy County Stratton, Hitchcock County, North Platte St. Pat’s, McCook, Wauneta-Palisade, Southwest Public School in Bartley, and Medicine Valley.
Picquet said before his final day within the PC District, his goal is to help the school in any way he can to find the best superintendent to help lead “this great” school district, he said.
“We have phenomenal staff, students, and tremendous community support,” Picquet said. “Additionally, we are a progressive, forward-thinking school district that strives to meet the needs of our students. The next superintendent will need and want to understand those things and that is also what will make this position attractive to those seeking the superintendency.”
Picquet said even though he is excited about his new job opportunity, he will miss Perkins County and specifically the direct relationships and interaction with students.
“In smaller districts such as Perkins County, you are involved with so many things and know your students so well that they do not hesitate to come to your office or stop and talk to you in the hallway,” he said. “That day-to-day interaction will be missed greatly.”
Special Board Meeting
The PC school board held a special meeting last Thursday, Jan. 12 to formally accept Picquet’s resignation, and then to immediately start the hiring process with NASB.
Representing NASB at the meeting were Shari Becker, director of education leadership search service, and Abi Carlson, event and search service associate.
Becker walked the board through the steps in the superintendent’s hiring process, which entails a stakeholder meeting, finalizing a prospect list and setting an interview date, among other tasks.
Community Input
With the help of NASB, the board has established a survey to garner community input concerning filling the superintendent’s position. Those interested in filling out the survey can access it at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/perkinscounty. A paper copy of the survey is also available at Picquet’s office at the high school.
Those who don’t want to fill out the survey, but who would like to submit their comments, can email them to sbecker@nasbonline.org, or mail them to Nebraska Association of School Boards, attn: Supt Search, 1311 Sockwell St., Lincoln, NE 68502.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the board will conduct a district stakeholder visit with NASB, followed by a board work session. The stakeholder visit will involve school staff, parents, and community members. The parent/community meeting will be from 6-7 p.m. in the High School Media Center. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting, Becker said.
Once feedback has been obtained from the community, and the application superintendent deadline is reached on Feb. 5, the board will then review the applicants, develop a prospect list, and then conduct formal interviews on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Becker said.
Principal’s Position
The PCS Board has received Principal Ben Jones’ resignation, but will not formally act on it until their January board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25, said Fryzek.
“I anticipate the board will approve the resignation,” Fryzek said. “We are appreciative of Ben’s service to the district.”
Jones was hired by the district in April 2019, with Perkins County being his first principal position. He has accepted a similar position in Silver Lake School District, which is a consolidated district comprised of the former Roseland, Bladen, Holstein, and Campbell School Districts.
According to Fryzek, Picquet will lead the process of filling Jones’ position.
Picquet said he has already posted the principal vacancy, with applications due Feb. 11. Staff, students, parents and community members will be involved in the principal’s interview process after candidates are selected, he said.
“While planning this, we have to factor in the superintendent selection and interview schedule as well,” Picquet said. “At this time, I do not have a definitive date or schedule for when principal interviews will take place.”
Picquet said Jones has been a great addition to not only the PCS school district, but also to the community.
“Ben’s strengths and experiences align with Silver Lakes’,” Picquet said. “Those attributes, in conjunction with Ben being from that area, presented an opportunity that he felt he needed to take.”
More information concerning the hiring process for the Jr./Sr. Principal will be forthcoming, Picquet said.
With Jones’ leaving, an opening will also be left for a Jr./Sr. High math teacher at PCS as Jones’ wife, Rebecca, serves in that position for the district.