Welcome to another episode of The Bentonville Beacon! In this eye-opening conversation, host Brandom Gengelbach sits down with Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent of Bentonville Schools, to explore the school district’s critical role as one of the region’s largest employers—beyond just educating students. Dr. Jones shares her journey from aspiring truck driver to education leader and dives deep into the pressing challenges of attracting and retaining top talent—issues that resonate across the entire business community. From developing a strong district culture to tackling real-world obstacles like affordable housing and childcare, Bentonville Schools is actively innovating to create an environment where teachers and staff can thrive.

You’ll hear how the district is pioneering solutions in partnership with local organizations, providing staff childcare, and even spearheading new affordable housing projects for educators. Plus, Dr. Jones talks about the district’s efforts to transform under-enrolled city schools with parent choice models, competitive programming, and unique partnerships connecting students to real-world opportunities through the Ignite program.

This episode is full of practical insights and forward-thinking strategies for anyone interested in talent attraction, workforce development, and building a vibrant local economy—whether you’re in education, business, or community leadership. Tune in and discover how Bentonville is setting a new standard for what a school district can do!