ARLINGTON, Va. – Patricia E. Neudecker, superintendent of Oconomowoc, Wis., Area Schools, and Benny Gooden, superintendent of the Fort Smith Public Schools, Fort Smith, Ark., were installed today as the American Association of School Administrators’ president and president-elect, respectively, for 2011-12.
Neudecker succeeds Edgar B. Hatrick III, superintendent of Loudoun County, Va., Public Schools as the association’s president. Hatrick will remain on the executive committee as immediate past president.
Neudecker and Gooden were officially sworn in at an installation ceremony held in conjunction with AASA’s summer governance meetings in Washington, D.C.
Neudecker has served as superintendent in Oconomowoc since 2003. Previously, she was assistant superintendent and director of instruction in Oconomowoc. She began her administrative career in Eau Claire, Wis., as a curriculum coordinator and building administrator. She is currently a member of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and an active participant in a regional transformation leadership initiative. Seeking to link her schools to the community, she has been co-chair of the Oconomowoc Sister City Initiative, has served on numerous boards including the local hospital, YMCA, symphony, United Way and Rotary. She received her doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
“Pat has been a diligent and hard-working member of AASA for many years,” said AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech. “She brings fresh perspective to the Executive Committee, and I look forward to her leadership as president.”
“This is a great opportunity to serve educational leaders across the country and support the mission of AASA,” said Neudecker. “My top priority is to promote courageous leadership in the midst of this rapidly changing landscape. We must support our current superintendents and, at the same time, attract, recruit and prepare new leaders for the future challenges that will be facing our students and our schools.”
Gooden has served as superintendent in Fort Smith since 1986. Previously, he held superintendencies in the Boonville R-I School District, and the Crawford County R-I School District, both in Missouri. He is a visiting assistant professor at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. Gooden has served on numerous statewide commissions and task forces and served as president of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators in 2007-08. Gooden is presently a member of the AASA Executive Committee and previously served on its Governing Board. He is well-known in AASA as the director of the Singing Superintendents. Gooden received a B.A. from Harding University, a M.Ed. from the University of Arkansas, and an Ed.D. from the University of Missouri.
About AASA
The American Association of School Administrators, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. For more information, visit www.aasa.org. Follow AASA on Twitter or on Facebook.
