CHAFFEE SEEKS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Board of Education will meet tonight to discuss how best to replace former superintendent Bob Biggs, who accepted a position at a southwest Missouri school district last month.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p. m. at Chaffee High School and is open to the public. The board will go into a closed session to discuss applicants and interviews.

Biggs is on vacation this week and his contract expires Friday. Wayne Pressley, who retired as Chaffee schools superintendent in 1994 and is working with the district in a short-term consulting role until a new superintendent is hired.

"We'd like to be able to employ somebody as soon as possible to get them on board," said Pressley. "We'll move as expeditiously as we can, but we'll also move in a prudent manner, as well."

Biggs' resignation came at a time when most school districts have already completed administrative hirings. Most districts start the hiring process for superintendents in January or February in order to get the best field of candidates.

Pressley said the school board has received about nine applications so far. Interviews will be conducted in coming weeks, but the school board may opt to hire an interim administrator if no candidates suit the district's needs.

"It makes it a challenging situation at this time," said Pressley. "The main thing will be finishing out the 1999-2000 school year and then opening up a new school year and becoming accustomed to a new school year."

Although the amount of paperwork required of superintendents appears to have increased, Pressley said he has managed to make it so far through "an interesting week." He said the district staff and the school board have worked hard to make the transition easier for a new administrator.

"We've got a good situation here. Everybody's pitching in and we're going to come out on top on this," he said. "I'm just encouraged by everybody's willingness to work."