Outgoing acting superintendent Dr Jake Long says the Saint Joseph School District has not only survived the most difficult period in its history, its best days are still ahead. Long says as troubling as the past two years have been, his overall feeling is gratitude.  “You know, I’m grateful for the experience, I’m grateful for my time here, and regardless how difficult things have been, I will always be grateful for it.”

Long says he made lifelong friends working side-by-side with some dedicated people to help the district through the turmoil of the stipend scandal and investigations by the FBI and State Auditor.

Long takes over as superintendent of schools in Mountain Home, Arkansas, July 1. That’s the same day that interim superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart begins work in Saint Joseph.