Interim Superintendent Mister Atkins outlines four-year priorities for Newport Independent Schools

Interim Superintendent Mister Atkins presented a capstone review to the Newport Independent Board of Education at the regular meeting, outlining accomplishments since he became interim in July and naming three district priorities for the next four years: consistency, coherence and belonging.

Atkins told the board he set two professional growth goals this year — cultural leadership and managerial leadership — and described work to build shared ownership across schools, deepen stakeholder collaboration on financial decisions, and re-open a school-based health center with a new provider to reduce costs. "We're working about city and the community leadership on the bench planning," he said, emphasizing regular engagement with local leaders and events.

On cultural leadership, Atkins described a districtwide administrative book study on team assumptions intended to build trust, tolerate constructive conflict, and hold teams accountable. On managerial leadership he said he has assumed facilities oversight, managed two construction projects, and prioritized timeliness on work orders. He added the district is collaborating across finance, HR and curriculum when making major decisions so the schools can make "the best financial decision for our kids."

Atkins also outlined steps under strategic and instructional leadership: including principals in district leadership meetings, beginning an external assessment partnership (described as "no cost" to the district) to support secondary readiness, and working with teachers on curriculum choices and professional learning communities to close achievement gaps. "We want to give [principals] the knowledge to help them grow," he said.

He closed by naming the three focal words for the next four years—"consistency, coherence and belonging"—and said districtwide alignment of instructional materials and teacher leadership would be primary work streams. A visitor introduced by Atkins as Mr. Hawkins commended the board's selection of the interim superintendent and said he had mentored Atkins over the year.

The presentation was delivered during the board's recognition and public-presentation portion of the meeting; board members and the visitor praised the interim superintendent's approach and encouraged continued community engagement. The board did not take a formal vote on the priorities during the excerpted meeting.

Next steps noted in the presentation included continued stakeholder engagement, summer professional development on leadership and restorative practices, and further work on instructional coherence. The board indicated the presentation was useful and thanked staff for the update.