Former CHS Coach Law Hired As Kingston Superintendent

By Editor | May 5, 2026 |

The newly independent Kingston School District has employed Bryan Law, former Clarksville High School football coach, as superintendent, members of the Jasper School Board were told at their monthly meeting Monday, April 27.

Law, who served as head football coach for the Clarksville Panthers in the 1990s, recently retired after a career in educational administration. He served as both superintendent and assistant superintendent at the Farmington School District and as director of the Northwest Arkansas Educational Service Cooperative.

He most recently served as interim superintendent at the Huntsville School District.

Jasper Superintendent Kim Liggett provided members of the Board an update on the Kingston detachment on Monday.

Kingston has been part of the Jasper School District since a state-mandated consolidation 20 years ago. District voters in the Kingston School zone voted March 3 in favor of the school detaching from the larger district.

Act 919 of 2025 established a process for creating isolated school districts in Arkansas, allowing schools that were previously consolidated or annexed to potentially re-establish themselves as independent districts.

The act states an isolated school can detach from its current district if a petition is submitted with at least 350 or 51% of registered voters’ signatures.

Following approval of a detachment, the law states an isolated school district will be governed by a five-member board. Kingston’s Board was appointed by the Madison County Quorum Court earlier this month. Its members include Kevin Hasty and Stacy Root, both former members of the Jasper School Board who represented Kingston; as well as Martin Sims, Brett Fitchpatrick and Austin Cantillon.

Liggett told Jasper Board members legislation being considered in the current fiscal session requires districts undergoing deconsolidation to allocate 90% of foundation funding, based on prior average daily membership, to the separating district.

For Jasper, Liggett said, this could create a short-term financial impact; however, state support through declining enrollment funding and consolidation funds is expected to offset much of the cost.

She assured the Board the district will continue working closely with state officials to ensure compliance while maintaining financial stability and services for all students.

Kingston Elementary School had 99 students enrolled at the time of the Board meeting, while the high school campus had 86 students.

Other Matters

–Jasper FFA students were recognized for their recent accomplishments at the state convention.

–Teachers who were honored for completing Master Professional Educator designations were Brittany Brisco, Lorrie Forest, Casey Prock-Blakeman, Jaimie Grice, Linda Clark and Elayna Villines.

–Liggett reported enrollment in the district is 748 students, a decrease of five since last month. Oark Elementary School has 83 students, a decrease of one; while Oark High School has 65 students, also a decrease of one. Jasper Elementary has 228 students enrolled, while Jasper High School has 187.

–The academic report was presented by Kristie Betancur, director of curriculum and professional development.

–Board members approved the removal of a storage building at Kingston.

–The district’s participation in Provision 2 for child nutrition was approved as presented by Tina Byrd, nutrition director.

–Out-of-state trips were approved to Ridgedale, Mo.; Branson, Mo.; and Wilburton, Okla.

Personnel

The resignation of Brent Edgmon, district transportation director, was accepted.

Employed were Gentri Seiter, Oark Elemenatry teacher; Cathy Willis, Oark cafeteria manager; Janette Rogers, Oark cafeteria first-year cook; and Emily Smith, Jasper campus nurse.

Summer feeding program workers employed included Tim Slape, Kathy Brasel, Sheila Reynolds, Jenna Waldron, Becky Morgan, Anna Collins, and Layota Dillow. Student workers employed for the summer feeding program were Issac Reynolds, Ethan Collins and Richlyn Brown.

Board members present included Joel Brasel, Quentin Rylee, Garrett Davidson, Jim Randy Laverty and Lisa Snow.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, at the Jasper campus.

Read this story and others in the May 6 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.