Cape Girardeau Public Schools announces leadership changes

Howard Benyon, the newly appointed superintendent for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, announced plans for leadership changes ahead of the upcoming school year.

A news release, sent by CGPS on Tuesday, March 28, stated Benyon's current position as deputy superintendent of elementary education will be eliminated. Brice Beck, currently the deputy superintendent of secondary education, will remain in his position but will now add elementary supervision to his present duties, which also include human resources.

Jamie Russell

Jamie Russell

According to the release, three other positions will be shifted. Jamie Russell, the district's current education technology instructional specialist, will serve as the assistant superintendent of academic services. In addition, Tina Schuessler, education technology instructional coach, will become the district's elementary academic services coordinator for grades K-6. Also, Nick Cato, library media specialist at Central High School, will serve as the secondary academic services coordinator for grades 7-12.

Per the release, these changes will help the district achieve some of the academic goals that were identified in the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, allowing the expansion of academic support across the district without an increase to the budget.

The release stated Russell has served in public schools for more than 17 years and helped facilitate and implement the district's current and previous CSIPs, facilitated many curriculum rewrites and organized professional development opportunities for CGPS.

"Mr. Russell is such a trusted resource for so many of us here in the district," Benyon said. "More students will benefit from Mr. Russell's expertise in this new position."

Tina Schuessler

Tina Schuessler

Schuessler has been with the district for 17 years, the release stated, where she facilitated numerous curriculum rewrites as well as participating in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assessment Item Specifications development.

Nick Cato

Nick Cato

Cato is currently serving his third year as the library media specialist and previously taught secondary English for 12 years. The release went on to state he holds a specialist degree in teacher leadership with a concentration in curriculum and data.

"Edtech will continue to be a vital piece of Mrs. Schuessler and Mr. Cato's work, but they will be taking on more duties," Benyon said. "I know how much these two individuals are respected within our school district and cannot wait to see how they are able to provide much-needed instructional resources directly to buildings."