CAPE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SWITCHES SCHOOLS, HEADS TO JACKSON HIGH

JACKSON -- The new assistant principal at Jackson High School leaves the same job at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

Rick McClard was hired by the Jackson Board of Education Tuesday night.

He follows Kent Gibbs, who left for Fredericktown.

Twenty-two applicants were considered for the job.

Jackson Superintendent Wayne Maupin said, "We had two exceptional candidates. We're excited about Rick. He's coming from one excellent system to another."

McClard has 20 years of experience in education, most of that as a high school teacher. He has been assistant principal at Central High the past two years.

"His experience, having worked at Cape Central, that was important to us," Maupin said. "His interpersonal skills are excellent and he is enthusiastic. He has a good work ethic. We just feel like the match with McClard and the school district is excellent."

"Jackson is a growing school district with very close ties with the community," McClard said. "There is a lot of parent and community support and a very supportive school board. That's very attractive as an educator. They really have got a fantastic situation."

Plus, McClard said other administrative opportunities may be available at Jackson in the future.

He begins work in August.

In addition to assistant principal, McClard is also athletic director.

Maupin said he plans to separate the athletic director's position from the assistant principal's job.

"We feel the job has grown to the point it takes more than one person," he said.

However, since no one has been named athletic director, Maupin said the safe course was to include it in McClard's job description for now.

McClard had been a finalist for the principal's job at Central High School. That job went to Dan Tallent, who has worked with the state education department in Southeast Missouri since 1988.