Eureka Springs School District Superintendent Bryan Pruitt said he was as humbled as ever when he learned his contract was again being extended another year.

“I appreciate the opportunity the [school] board has given me to get to serve as superintendent, and I always stay humbled by that, knowing that things can change,” he said. “I want to always try to do the best job I can while I have that opportunity.”

Pruitt, who is in his 10th year leading the Eureka Springs School District, had his contract extended through June 30, 2028, at the most recent school board meeting held Feb. 10.

“They extended it one more year, so that way I keep a three-year contract,” Pruitt said, adding that longevity in leading a school district is something he never wants to take for granted.

“You never do because things change, new people come and go and sometimes we have to make some tough decisions,” he said. “I always try to stay humbled by that because I’ve been in the school business a long time, and I know things can change in a heartbeat.”

Pruitt came to Eureka Springs after spending 28 years in the Bergman School District.

“I am thankful to be able to continue to serve as superintendent at Eureka Springs Schools,” he said. “We’ve got great schools and a great community and great kids. It’s just been a blessing to be here, and hopefully we can just continue to keep working hard and keep improving.

“I was just telling some of our staff that we did a great job this year, an outstanding job in academic performance, but we can’t ever let our guard down. We have to keep working and staying after it to maintain where we’re at.”

Pruitt said he often gets questioned on how many years he has left in his education career.

“I’m 61 and I’d like to work until I’m 65,” he said. “So, if I can get four more years in, that’s my goal. By that time, our grandsons will be in school, and then my wife and I can get to do a little more traveling and stuff.”