Richard Atwill has been principal at Blytheville Middle School since 2003. Prior to that, he was principal in the Osceola School District. He served as a vice principal at Blytheville for a year after beginning his career in education as a science teacher at Blytheville in 1990.
He holds a specialist in education degree from Arkansas State University and a master's degree in education, also from ASU.
Atwill said the reason he applied for the superintendent's position is simple. "I want to be superintendent in Blytheville because I believe in the children of Blytheville," he said.
"I have a passion for all children in the city of Blytheville: Rich, poor, black, white and any of them in between the four," he said.
Children are the future leaders of tomorrow. "The promise of tomorrow lies in their ability to learn and become productive adults," he said.
The Blytheville School District is already being proactive in making sure students receive the best possible education. "In my opinion, Blytheville is on the path to offering the best education available to children in the state," Atwill said. "I take great pride in being a part of the education provided in this town."
The candidate said he fulfills his professional purpose by bettering the educational opportunities offered to them in his hometown.
"As superintendent, I can do that beyond the halls of Blytheville Middle School," he said.
Atwill spoke of the responsibilities he and other educators have to the students of the district.
"We have a responsibility to them, (the students) and ourselves to offer them the best education that can be received. The best possible place for Blytheville kids to be educated is not anywhere else but here, here in Blytheville, Ark."
As his hometown, Atwill and his family are connected to the community. "My children attend our schools. Our family benefits from and contributes to the community of Blytheville. It is my passion to give back, to give to the needs of others."
As superintendent, Atwill said he would receive great satisfaction to serve the district in this way, to "give to a community that has given to me and my family in a time of need."
Atwill said he has focused on one main objective his whole career -- to guide "our district to become educationally sound and foremost in the state. We have the best educators this state has to offer. They work long and hard hours to give our children with knowledge and direction," he said.
As an administrator, Atwill has encouraged teachers to be collaborative with others in their areas of expertise to ensure that all students receive the same educational opportunities.
"I fully support our educational backbone, our teachers, and encourage our students to believe in what they can do," he said.
"It is the right of every young person here to learn to be the best of their ability, be pushed to go the distance and to walk out of Blytheville Public Schools with an education that will brighten their future."