Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell, 52, has withdrawn himself from consideration for the Fayetteville superintendent's job.
Kimbrell called Fayetteville School Board President Tim Hudson to say he decided to stay in central Arkansas and to remain as the chief executive of the Arkansas Department of Education.
Kimbrell spent about three hours last Thursday with the local School Board discussing the board's goals and his interest in the position to succeed Superintendent Vicki Thomas, who has resigned effective June 30 at the end of her contract.
After the interview, Kimbrell said he was exploring options because he didn't intend to retire in his current position. He said he wanted to continue working for another six to eight years.
He has held numerous positions in education over the last 30 years including superintendencies in Paragould and North Little Rock. He also was the executive director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators before being tapped in 2009 by Gov. Mike Beebe to serve as the state education commissioner.