CLARK'S CONTRACT EXTENDED

Cape Girardeau schools Superintendent Neyland Clark got a one-year extension to his contract and a raise from the Board of Education Wednesday.

With the vote behind them, board members said they have work ahead in terms of improving the board's image.

The board voted 5-2 in favor of the contract extension. Board members Bob Fox and Steve Wright voted no. Wright also said no to administrative raises approved for the coming year because Clark receives an increase of $1,483, to $75,997.

Clark and the board have found themselves embattled this summer because school patrons questioned the ability of the superintendent and board to lead.

The meeting room was packed and several people wore buttons that read, "A Matter of Trust." Amy Randol, spokesman for a group that collected more than 1,000 signatures calling for Clark's resignation, was disappointed by the vote. She said she expects members to regroup.

Board member Pat Ruopp said Clark has work ahead of him, especially in building morale among staff members. Board members, he said, need to build support of the community.

"Dr. Clark has been keenly aware and tried very diligently to satisfy the wishes of the board," Ruopp said. "Apparently the board is not in sync with the community."

Board members approved a motion that the district begin fresh in assessing community desires.

"We need to start at square one," said Fox.

Clark agreed: "It needs to be a grassroots attempt to get the feelings of the community."

Specifically, board members are looking at adding a monthly study session to discuss topics like redistricting and finances.

Board meeting time and location could change. The board currently meets at 5 p.m. at the board office at 61 N. Clark.

The board is also interested in developing a newsletter and brochures to provide information to patrons.

The board approved average teacher raises of 2.5 percent. Some teachers will receive as little as a 1.2 percent increase and others as much as 3.5 percent. A beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree and no experience will make $20,000. A teacher with a master's degree plus an additional 30 college hours and 25 years experience will make $37,780.

Voting on the salary package raised a question of conflict of interest among board members.

Fox, whose wife is a teacher, abstained from the teacher salary vote. Wright, whose wife is also a teacher, voted yes.

Board member John Campbell abstained from voting on salaries for support staff. His wife is a school secretary.

Wright thinks that voting on a package of teacher salaries and benefits isn't a conflict of interest. He said perhaps members of the board whose spouses are employed by the district shouldn't serve on the board's finance committee. The finance committee participates in setting the salary package.

Board President Ed Thompson said he will make a decision about restructuring board committees by the next meeting.

Several administrative changes were also announced. Lanny Barnes, longtime principal at Central Junior High School, was named coordinator of the new A Plus program, which restructures the district's curriculum to place students on a career path. Gerald Richards, assistant junior high principal, was named principal of the junior high. John Eck, principal at St. Vincent High School in Perryville, was named principal at L.J. Schultz Middle School.

The board also set the 1994 tax rate for $2.86 per $100 assessed valuation, a penny less than last year's rate. The difference comes from a change in the Proposition C rollback calculation.

Cape Girardeau school administrative salaries 1994-95

Neyland Clark, superintendent, $75,997.

Richard Bollwerk, assistant superintendent curriculum and instruction, $63,129.

Timothy Niggle, director human resources, $56,095.

Larry R. Dew, director business affairs, $61,817.

Betty Chong, director special services, $53,485.

Dan Tallent, principal Central Senior High, $60,174.

Harold Tilley, director Area Vocational School, $55,368.

Lanny Barnes, principal Central Junior High, $58,537.*

John Eck, principal L.J. Schultz, $48,513.

Orville Krauss, assistant director Area Vocational School, $46,777.

Terry Kitchen, athletic director, $49,508.

Gerald Richards, assistant principal Central Junior High, $50,580.*

William Biggerstaff, assistant principal CHS, $50,995.

Mark Ruark, assistant principal CHS, $45,590.

Jim Watkins, principal Franklin, $50,580.

David Giles, principal Alma Schrader, $50,580.

Richard Giles, principal Clippard, $50,580.

Gary Kralemann, principal Jefferson, $50,580.

Barbara Blanchard, principal Washington, $48,570.

Barbara Kohlfeld, principal May Greene, $46,777.

* Reassigned positions, salaries could change.