Dr. Don Forrest hired for interim role at Mansfield

This past weekend, Scarlett Hall, the daughter of Mansfield Superintendent Dr. Clint Hall and his wife, Shelby, made her first trip outside since leaving intensive care. This was a big step in her road to recovery since a water-related accident that took place on June 19.
Throughout Scarlett’s healing journey, Superintendent Dr. Hall has been communicating with the Mansfield R-IV School Board regarding a possible timeline for his daughter returning home and how that would line up with the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
With her healing still a work in progress on God’s time schedule, the Board reached out to Dr. Don Forrest, who still resides in Norwood, to see if he would enter an interim superintendent agreement with the district. He accepted and the Board approved his interim hiring during their Aug. 11 Board meeting.
For Dr. Hall, the move helps give him some peace of mind knowing the day-to-day operations are in good hands with his absence.
“The contract agreement is set up so that it is flexible, so that as things progress with Scarlett, I could return to work,” Superintendent Dr. Hall noted. “It has taken a great deal off of my mind knowing that he is on campus while I’m gone..Dr Forrest being willing to take on this role truly is a blessing.”
Superintendent Dr. Hall noted that Dr. Forrest was his first boss when he was a teacher at the Norwood R-I School District between 2009-2011.
Also during the Aug. 11 meeting, more personnel matters were decided in closed session.
The Board approved the hiring of Gina Adams as a teacher; Jerry Lemons as a route driver; a route driver stipend was approved for Barry Ruckman; Pete Vliestra and Mindy Lemons were hired as half route drivers; and Christian Gray was approved for a specialized summer maintenance position during 2025.
The resignation was approved for Skye Elliott as a paraprofessional.
A tax levy hearing was also held on Aug. 11. The Board approved motion to set the 2025-26 fund 1 levy at 3.1891, the fund 2 levy at 0.00, the fund 3 levy at 0.00, and the fund 4 levy at 0.00 for an overall tax rate of 3.1891.