Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — Aug. 1, 2025 — New Jonesboro Public Schools superintendent Misty Doyle said she has a lot planned for her first year on the job, aiming to improve on what’s great about the district.

Doyle assumed the role of superintendent July 1 after former superintendent Dr. Kim Wilbanks retired in June. Wilbanks’ retirement was announced in November 2024. This will be Doyle’s 24th year in education, with it being her 18th year with JPS.

The ability to take all the experiences Doyle has had in the district was a big draw for her, she said. Doyle began her journey in education at the Nettleton School District, being a model classroom for a literacy lab and working on getting a master’s degree in reading from Harding University. During that time, she said she knew that she wanted to move into instructional coaching or leadership.

“I never really thought about administration at that point, just because I was so focused on taking my knowledge of reading from my master’s degree, applying it, and working with students and teachers,” she said.

Once Doyle made the jump to JPS, she began as the International Studies Magnet School coordinator during the district’s second year of the magnet school program. Doyle eventually filled in as the school’s unofficial assistant principal after being encouraged to go into administration by several people, including Wilbanks.

“I discovered that you can love and support kids in the classroom, but then also carry that on into what you do with teachers, too, and support them. So, I felt like I could have a greater influence as an administrator,” she said.

After obtaining an administration degree from Arkansas State University, Doyle became the assistant principal of the Jonesboro Kindergarten Center, starting in the middle of the school year around Christmas time. She called it “a wonderful experience.” In her eight years with the JPS administration, Doyle has served as assistant superintendent of curriculum, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent.

Being a “servant leader” is how Doyle would describe her leadership style, saying every role matters, no matter the position.

“I’m not going to ask someone to do something that I’m not willing to do myself or I haven’t done myself. If I’m walking across the campus and see trash, I’m going to pick it up just like I expect someone else to,” she said. “I don’t want to forget what it is to be a teacher, and so part of that servant leadership is I’m willing to, when time allows, step in and provide professional development, go to a classroom and visit with students.”

Doyle said one of the district’s greatest strengths she wants to preserve is the staff, adding they truly care about the students not only academically, but also socially, emotionally, and physically. She wants to ensure that staff go above and beyond to make sure the students are happy.

“In a district where you have 70% poverty, there are challenges and opportunities that come with that, and our teachers will do whatever it takes to ensure that students feel safe and ready to learn,” she said.

One of Doyle’s top priorities for her first year on the job is making sure she is able to meet with those in the community and make the necessary connections. She has already started on, having met with principals and directors she has worked with for years, along with community partners, including Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro), Rep. Rick Crawford (R) and A-State Chancellor Todd Shields.

Doyle also wants to ensure that every parent is heard and welcome on campuses. She said if there’s an opportunity where she can visit with parents at sporting or community events, she will do so.

Taking on the role of superintendent comes with its challenges and opportunities. When asked about how to navigate the position in regard to the Arkansas LEARNS Act, Doyle spoke about the law that focuses on children being retained if they are unable to read by the time they’re in the third grade.

She explained they are ensuring that when the law goes into effect in the 2026-2027 school year, they’ll have the teachers with the right credentials for those students to ensure they are taught properly.

Doyle said she feels the same way about AI usage in the classroom. She said they have formed an AI committee with teachers and administrators across the district who will look at or have already looked at AI resources and how they can be utilized.

“If we stick our head in the sand and say we’re not going to support AI, then we’re not going to be a progressive district. We use AI for various reasons now, but we’re going back and setting some policies in place,” she said.

Overall, in her time as superintendent, Doyle wants to keep the legacy of JPS going and improve in the best ways possible, promising parents that she is looking out for their children’s best interests.

“I’m not only a superintendent, I’m also a parent, and so in everything I do, I approach situations of what I want for my own student, and I will continue to do that as long as I serve as superintendent,” she said.