Kelly superintendent recognized by peers for her performance

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County superintendent was named among the most outstanding by her peers.

Fara Jones, superintendent of Scott County R-4 "Kelly" School District in Benton, was among eight Missouri superintendents recognized by the Missouri Association of School Administrators for outstanding performance as a new superintendent.

"It is an honor to receive this award from my peers," Jones said. "I am blessed to be surrounded by so many strong school superintendents who have helped me as a new superintendent."

Jones was nominated for the honor by her colleagues in the Southeast MASA District. She was honored during the awards banquet at MASA Spring Conference on March 30.

"The Southeast Superintendents Association is a very active advocate for the students of Missouri, and I am grateful to be recognized by such an outstanding group of school professionals," Jones said.

An Oran native, Jones has worked in the Kelly school district for 20 years now. She spent her first four years at the high school as an art teacher followed by 13 years as elementary school principal. She is now completing her third year as superintendent.

"Her selection as new superintendent of the year reflects what she's doing in her district and how she's respected among her peers," said Scott Downing, president of MASA.

Downing is the former superintendent of East Prairie R-2 School District and current superintendent of Warsaw R-9 School District.

"I've had the privilege of working with her when I was in Southeast Missouri as a superintendent, and she's an up-and-coming new leader," Downing said.

Darryl Pannier, past president and member of the Southeast MASA District, who wrote the nomination letter for Jones, agreed.

"She took over as the secretary and treasurer when she became superintendent at Kelly and she jumped in feet first. She did anything and everything to make things continue working the way they are with this association and this group and has done it without fail," Pannier said about Jones.

Pannier is in his 10th year as the superintendent of Nell Holcomb School District in Cape Girardeau.

"From what I gather and what I know -- she is fair, firm and consistent in everything that she does," Pannier said. "I only deal with her on the (MASA) association end of it, and she takes the bull by the horns and gets it done. Others might shy away from it or say: 'I'm not going to do it,' and she will take it and run with it."

Jones spends a lot of time with the MASA Association, Pannier said, citing her duties as the treasurer/secretary.

"We have an annual banquet, and she gets us ready for it. She has a meeting to attend every month. Members pay their dues to her, and she has to keep track of that -- all on top of being a superintendent of a K-12 district," Pannier said.

For the complete story, see the weekend edition of the Standard Democrat.