Administrator Spotlight

Randall Bolinger

Maintenance Director, Siloam Springs School District

Randall Bolinger, Maintenance Director for the Siloam Springs School District didn't know he wanted to work in education until he started in his current position in May of 2014. "Now I wish I had started here," he states. Before coming to the district, he worked at Walmart as a construction manager for over twenty years.

Randall says his favorite thing about his current position is being able to provide "warm, safe, and welcoming facilities for all of our students, staff, and community." The most challenging part of the job is that the task list can seem endless - "There is always stuff left at the end of the day," he says. Advice that has helped him is "[don't] knuckle under from the pressure of the daily grind," while he would advise others interested in the career: "jump in with both feet and hang on for the ride."

Randall says the goal he is most working toward is "to keep my facilities in the best shape we can keep them in, and take care of the students and faculty." His efforts to provide top-rate facilities has been recognized by his peers, leading him to being awarded both the ASPMA Blue Ribbon Award and the ASPMA Plant Manager of the Year.

? Q&A ! with Randall Bolinger

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

While at Walmart I got to travel to all 50 US states, and 5 Canadian Providences.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

Flew in a 2 seat helicopter that had no doors on it

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

Spending time with kids and family, going to Hog games when I can, and just relaxing.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

I’ve always wanted to do the AMTRAK train that goes around the US.

How would your co-workers describe you?

Tough but fair

What major changes have you seen in education during your career?

Well I got to see the changes during the COVID years, how we did before vs how we do now.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself here taking care of business, and the kids of our district.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

The biggest benefit I see is the networking, getting to serve on the AAEA board and getting to know folks within other groups.