Due to the superintendent Ken Helvey’s retirement, Beth Nicholas was named interim superintendent in the middle of July. Helvey’s last day as superintendent was on Friday Sept. 27.

Q: When did you first find out that you were named the interim superintendent?

A: Dr. Helvey called me the day he was going to retire [to] ask me if I would accept the position of interim superintendet. That was towards the end of July or the middle of July.

Q: How did you feel about being named interim superintendent? How did you feel when you got the phone call?

A: I was a bit overwhelmed at first. I had to sit down. I was standing up. I felt very honored and blessed to be able to try and help the district at this time and to help moving it in the right direction.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your position and what you do?

A: Right now, I am doing two positions. I’m the assistant superintendent for learner services, which takes care of the entire curriculum for the school district for kindergarten through twelfth grade. I am also serving as the interim superintendent, which oversees all of the departments of the district and involves working with the board of trustees very closely and helping with all the agenda items and making sure we get all the business of the district taken care of.

Q: When did you first get involved in the school district?

A: I have been with Allen for 17 years. I came here as a teacher and then moved to different positions, administrative positions. I was the principal of Ereckson Middle School. I’ve been in learner services through multiple positions. I‘ve done about everything in the district.

Q: Why did you first get involved in Allen? Is there a specific reason?

A: My husband was transferred to Dallas, and when we came there, we were looking for different districts. We toured many of the schools in Allen for our kids because we thought it would give them an excellent education, and we just felt like it was home. I started working here the next year.

Q: What is your ultimate goal regarding your job with the school district?

A: My ultimate goal is to be in the position where I am most qualified for and where the district would do the most good and meet the needs of all the teachers and students of the district, so whatever that position is where I want to be.

Q: What has the job been like so far?

A: It’s been very busy doing two positions. I am certainly learning a lot with some areas that I have not dealt with much in the past and I am meeting some new people in different capacities in the community which is good. It’s certainly growing me.

Q: How long are you going you to stay in this position?

A: For the timeline of the new superintendent, March. That is all contingent on how the process goes, so it could be a littler longer, but it wouldn’t be any sooner.

Q: Where would you like to see the district moving in the future? Do you have like any goals?

A: We have to continue to manage any growth that comes and certainly align all of our programs to meet the kids, not only for now, but for five or 10 years later in the future which is a challenge because things are changing with all the technologies, but mostly we just want it to be the best school district in the state of Texas where parents want to bring their children and teachers want to come to work because we are big family.

Q: Have you liked working as the interim superintendent so far?

A: Yes, it has been a challenge, but I have enjoyed it.

Q: Do you have anything else to add?

A: I just wanted to say I appreciate the opportunity and the trust the board has given me to lead the district at this time, and, you know, I take it very seriously, and like I said before, it is an honor to do this, and I will try my best for the district.

story by Maggie Rians // assistant editor