Republic superintendent passing baton to colleague

The careers of the outgoing and incoming Republic School District superintendent have been intertwined for more than a dozen years.

This summer, Matt Pearce will retire after 30 years in public education. He will pass the leadership baton to colleague Tyler Overstreet, Republic’s assistant superintendent of academics, July 1.

“I feel like we’re in great hands,” Pearce said. “We’re going to move forward and not skip a beat.”

Their connection started in 2012, when Pearce – then principal of Glendale High School in Springfield Public Schools – hired Overstreet to teach and coach varsity football.

Later, as Pearce was leaving for a leadership post in Republic, Overstreet was promoted to assistant principal and athletic director at Glendale.

Overstreet followed Pearce to Republic in 2015, working as high school principal for five years before joining Pearce in the district’s central office.

“I always joke I can’t get a job unless Matt hires me,” Overstreet said, laughing. “So, the school board is really stepping out on the limb to be the ones to hire me – definitely at his recommendation.”

The two recently sat down to talk about their teamwork, what they have learned from each other, and why Republic is home.

“Tyler is so thorough and leaves no stones unturned. It’s very nice to have your second-in-command have that skill set because oftentimes, I feel like I’m stretched. I know a little bit about a lot, but he knows depths about the things he’s working on,” Pearce said. “It’s comforting to know that you’ve got a teammate like that.”

Pearce described Overstreet as a people person who remembers names and loves to communicate.

“What really sets Republic apart is if you show that you are welcoming and you try to do the right thing, not only for the student but for the family, then that is going to set you up for success,” Overstreet said.

Overstreet said Pearce means a lot to Republic and has accomplished much during his tenure. Salary amounts are $205,962 for Pearce and $192,500 for Overstreet.

Pearce spent 17 years in SPS, first as a social studies teacher at Kickapoo High School and then in administrative roles at Hillcrest High School, Carver Middle School and Glendale.

He moved to Republic 13 years ago, spending seven years as assistant superintendent of academics – Overstreet’s current role – before stepping into the top job.

“Taking care of students is priority one. Taking care of each other is priority two,” Pearce said.

In charge during a period of heavy enrollment growth, Pearce led a team that doubled the early childhood program, added school police and increased student achievement, and built storm shelters and an intermediate school.

“We’ve tried to have a great place where students can come each day and a great place where staff can spend … seven hours a day away from their family, impacting others,” said Pearce, 55. “I am just really proud of the academics and the culture growth.”

Pearce, who recently welcomed his first grandchild, said he plans to work after retiring from the district but has not announced concrete plans.

Overstreet, 42, said Pearce has provided a role model for how to work with families, the Board of Education and the community.

“I’m so appreciative of Matt and others that have poured into me and helped prepare me for this,” Overstreet said. “I’m blessed with the opportunity to get to do this, especially in a community that my family and I have been part of for the last 11 years.”

Overstreet started his career as a teacher in Logan-Rogersville R-VIII before working in SPS and then Republic.

As part of the upcoming transition, Pearce has involved Overstreet more deeply in school finance and other decisions.

“He’s helping me gain an understanding of the legislative advocacy piece, which he does so well and is really a strength of his,” Overstreet said.

This spring, the district will wrap up a remodel of the middle school and an expansion of the high school. Later this year, the district will start crafting its next strategic plan and launch the Portrait of a Learner, a framework to define skills students ought to develop in school so they are successful in school, work and life.

“He’s really ready to take this step,” Pearce said of Overstreet. “He’s done a great job of preparing himself but really also leading from his position as assistant superintendent, making sure we’re hitting our targets and our strategic plan, and we’re having a great school district for kids and for staff.”