Hundreds of people filed through the Miller Performing Arts Center atrium Monday afternoon in order to greet incoming Superintendent Larry Linthacum.
As the reception line inched forward in the bright late afternoon sunlight, visitors exchanged a few quick pleasantries and words of welcome with the new leader and his family. Some shared words of wisdom; others offered insight on how he might lead the district.
Linthacum, current superintendent of the Maryville Public School District, will replace Brian Mitchell on July 1. Prior to serving in Maryville, he worked as superintendent, career center director and counselor for the South Harrison R-2 School District.
He also taught and coached in Jefferson City during the 1995-96 school year.
Linthacum was in town on Friday to meet with central office staff and returned again Monday for the reception and his first Board of Education work session.
After shaking hundreds of hands, Linthacum appeared uplifted by the warm reception. He made a point of trying to memorize each person's name and often appeared to be adding contact information to his phone.
"I'm excited to be here, to get an opportunity to meet the folks in Jefferson City," Linthacum said. "I'm really trying to connect with people."
Speaking to reporters, he said he's interested in helping people work together and hopes to build on the Jefferson City Public Schools' strengths.
"I think it's a tremendous school district," he said. "I want to continue to build on that and make it the best in the state."
Linthacum added he's interested in getting to work.
A wide spectrum of people attended the event.
Karen Brickey, coordinator of the district's A+ and Project Lead the Way programs, said she felt it was important to attend, despite having only a few seconds to exchange words of welcome with her new boss.
"Everyone says he's very personable. I think he will be present within the schools," she said, adding people will expect upper level civic leaders to be highly visible in the community.
"That's the guy we've got," she added.
Karen Enloe, executive director for the JCPS Foundation, agreed with Brickey's assessment Linthacum is personable. She noted he spoke eloquently about his wife, Angie, on Friday and shared anecdotes about his family life with staff. In the meeting, he made a point of remembering staffers' names.
"He said he wants to get to know every staff member who works for the district," Enloe said.
W.T. Edmonson, host of a JCTV talk show, said he always has made a point of meeting each incoming superintendent.
"This particular superintendent is coming in at a time when there are some serious concerns about overcrowding at East Elementary School," Edmonson said. "He needs an opportunity to survey the terrain, and to meet with local community members."
Alan Mudd was gratified to conclude the hiring process.
"We took the responsibility so seriously, that it was a very difficult process, because we were so anxious to get it right," he said. "We felt like we needed an individual with strong people skills and the ability to establish positive relationships within the district and the community.
"We put a lot of prayer into it," he said. "Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I'm 100 percent convinced he's the right person for the job."