Interviews with BOE superintendent candidates Darren Douthitt and Dr. Kathy Murphy are slated for this Saturday in the Central Office boardroom on Oglesby Street. A reception for Darren Douthitt will be held at 9 a.m., with his board interview to follow at 10 a.m.

Dr. Kathy Murphy’s reception is slated for 1 p.m., with the interview at 2 p.m.

Douthitt, currently serving as an assistant superintendent for the Lee County School System, said he is eager to visit Greenville and meet with the board and other members of the community.

And community involvement, Douthitt says, would be a key part of his life if he is selected as Butler County’s next superintendent.

“One key to progress within a system is visibility in the community and the schools,” Douthitt said. “That would definitely be one of my strengths. You’ll see me at Friday night games, coaching my son’s Little League games, speaking to churches and civic groups. It is the duty of the superintendent to do those kinds of things.”

Getting parents involved by educating them as well as their children would be another priority, Douthitt said.

“I’ve instituted a Parent Academy here in Lee County in several of our schools where parents learn about technology, how to best use the Internet and avoid problems associated with kids going online . . . I know there are already programs in place to get parents involved in Butler County, but let’s look at giving parents an education, too,” he said.

Murphy, currently serving as an assistant superintendent with the Butler County School System, said it would be “incumbent upon the school district to make opportunities for parents and the community to be involved.”

“We have to look at every opportunity to collaborate with the mayors, city councils, county commissioners, Chamber of Commerce, LBW, DHR, GPD, churches . . . and the list goes on. The community and parents have to know we want them to be involved . . . and the district must readily accept viable feedback and implement it for the good of our children,” Murphy said.

Douthitt says his greatest strength as an administrator is the strong rapport he has been able to establish with students, staff and administrators.

“I have the ability to communicate with everyone within the district,” he said.

Murphy describes her dedication to children, their education, and the school district combined with a Puritan work ethic as her greatest strength.

“I am competitive and want this school district to be progressive and recognized as an outstanding school system . . . and I have the ability to care and correct at the same time,” Murphy said.

She said her greatest accomplishment during her years with the local system was “the knowledge she had positively impacted the lives of some of the students that have come my way.”

The receptions and interviews for both candidates are open to the public.