Provo names interim superintendent, begins search for replacement

PROVO — The Provo Board of Education has named Bob Gentry as interim school district superintendent after Randall Merrill abruptly resigned as superintendent Tuesday after leading the district for 10 years.

Gentry previously served as the district's personnel director. Cindy Wright, associate personnel director, has been appointed as acting personnel director. All other district leadership positions will remain the same.

Merrill said he is looking at other opportunities, and his unexpected departure, effective immediately, was not brought on by the controversy surrounding the creation of a fundraising policy and an audit of activities at Timpview High.

"For several months I have been considering multiple career opportunities consistent with my long-term personal and professional goals. I am now choosing to pursue those goals," he said in a statement.

The Provo School Board found out about Merrill's intentions Tuesday, the same day as its monthly meeting. It held an executive meeting following the public meeting to discuss interim candidates.

Merrill leaves after months of controversy sparked by the fundraising efforts of Timpview head football coach Louis Wong. A month ago the district chamber was filled with parents speaking in support of Wong and his fundraising efforts, which have resulted in a new field and an impressive new weight room facility. Merrill said several issues have become entangled and that he had nothing to do with some of the issues, including the creation of a committee that recommended a new policy on fundraising guidelines.

Wong was not at Tuesday's meeting but said last month that he supported guidelines and that he was only doing what he felt was in the best interest of his student athletes.

Still, Merrill said he didn't retire Tuesday because of the recent controversy, but insisted that he had other opportunities he wanted to explore.

"I certainly recognized that this was becoming more and more divisive, I think I had to have this desire to do other things. And with that desire, and with opportunity that actually has come up this week, it made it really easy for me to chase those opportunities," Merrill said.

It was Merrill who asked the state to audit Timpview's activities budget, but he said he did that only out of an ethical and legal obligation. That audit should be completed by February and it's part of the reason the board tabled a vote on a new fundraising policy, Provo School Board President Kristine Manwaring said.