ANNUAL EVALUATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT UNDER WAY

The annual evaluation process of Cape Girardeau Superintendent of Schools Neyland Clark should be completed within the next two weeks.

Two years remain on Clark's contract. The Cape Girardeau's Board of Education has typically extended it's superintendent's contract each year for a year resulting in an on-going three-year contract, explained veteran board member Pat Ruopp.

Ruopp said that under state law most Missouri school districts may offer up to a three-year contract for chief administrators. St. Louis and Kansas City school districts may offer contracts for up to five years.

"He has two years currently on his contract," said Ruopp.

"Normally what we have done is after his review we add an additional year on to his contract. It's a three-year contract and each year is basically an extension of that three-year contract."

Ruopp said the three-year agreement offers security for both the school district and the superintendent.

"You couldn't keep a superintendent if you couldn't give a three-year contract. If you don't have three years basically that sends a message to the superintendent," Ruopp explained.

"It protects the school district in that you aren't surprised on a moment's notice that you don't have an administrator. It gives school districts time to plan, strategize. Take for instance the previous superintendent in Jackson. He knew when he was going to retire, so that wasn't a surprise. The Jackson School District even had time to groom Wayne Maupin for the position of superintendent. That works in favor of the school district."

"In the summer is when we do evaluation or contract negotiation," Ruopp said.

As past president of the board John Campbell is coordinating the evaluation process.

"We use a set of forms for the evaluation," Campbell explained. Each board member fills out the prepared form and may add comments.

Campbell said board members have returned the completed forms to him. Campbell is in the process of compiling information into a summary report.

Once the report is finished, Campbell will meet with Clark to discuss the results of the surveys. "That will probably be done in the next week or two," Campbell said.

He said any contract negotiations would likely take place at a July or August board meeting.

Teacher salaries are in limbo, waiting year-end financial reports, said business manager Larry Dew. "We have proposals from teachers," Dew said. "We're waiting on final figures."

Dew said the district's average daily attendance was down by more than 100 students this past year. That drop in enrollment means less state funding for the coming year.

"We're waiting for final figures before we make any decisions," he said. The June election also postponed action on teacher salaries, which are usually settled by the end of the school year.