CENTRAL SEEING PRINCIPAL TRADE-OFF

In an unusual twist on school hiring, ousted Central High School principal Randie Fidler will replace his replacement next year as principal at Valley Park High School in St. Louis County.

"Is this a hoot or what?" said incoming Central principal Mike Cowan, reached at his home in St. Louis. "I don't know that I could read anything terribly significant into it, but I am thrilled for Randie."

Cowan said he called Fidler to congratulate him following the announcement by Valley Park officials Tuesday. No formal announcement has been made in Cape Girardeau, and Fidler was unavailable for comment late Tuesday.

"Experienced principals are hard to find," Cowan said. "For Valley Park to have someone of Randie's stature and experience to serve as their next principal gives me great comfort that I'm leaving them in excellent hands."

Cape Girardeau schools superintendent Dan Steska said the fact that only two people are involved in the administrative switch should make the transition periods that follow easier for both schools.

With the hirings, both schools are meeting the needs their school boards identified and should benefit, he said.

"It is a very unusual event, but as I've always believed, school districts need certain people to fulfill a role for a specific time," said Steska. "It could work very well for both of them."

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education voted in late February not to renew Fidler's contract and stood firm on its decision despite an outcry from some staff and community members. Cowan was hired in April.

Both men will begin their new jobs July 1.