DAN STESKA NEW CAPE SCHOOL CHIEF

A week after Dr. Dan Steska visited Cape Girardeau he was chosen to become the school district's superintendent in July.

The school board made the announcement Tuesday afternoon in a press release. Steska will replace Dr. Dan Tallent who will resign June 30 after three years as superintendent.

The board's decision was reached by a majority vote and seemed to be a good match for the community, said Ferrell Ervin, board president.

Steska, superintendent at Arcadia Valley Schools in Ironton, will be offered a three-year contract at a starting salary of no less than $98,000 in his first year.

Steska, 48, has been superintendent in Ironton since 1996 and had spent a year there as assistant superintendent. Prior to that, he had spent 24 years in the Perryville school district as a teacher and principal.

He was one of two finalists chosen to visit Cape Girardeau last week. The other finalist was David G. Smith of Excelsior Springs.

Board members visited both the Excelsior Springs and Ironton districts to talk with teachers and staff. The visits "verified the strengths and that made us feel good that we had made the right decision among the two finalists," Ervin said.

Steska just seemed to be a better match for the community. He scored high on exit surveys with both the public and staff and is somewhat familiar with Cape Girardeau from his years in Perryville.

"With all groups he ranked high on confidence-building," Ervin said. "We wanted someone who will be able to be respected when he arrives and to help make the public aware of the good things that go on in the schools. He'd be building confidence both inside and outside the schools."

The press release said Steska was chosen based on criteria like strong financial management and communication skills needed to move the district ahead.

Within his first year as superintendent, he worked on a $2.1 million bond issue campaign for the Ironton schools. Steska has said he will be a "straight-shooter" with the public.

During his visit here, Steska was asked difficult questions about recruiting minority staff, methods for fixing staff morale and financial problems.

"They asked honest questions and I tried to give honest answers," he said Tuesday. "That's the way I approach people and situations."

He has worked under five superintendents and knows that cooperation is key to solving problems.

Steska intends to spend the next six months doing some homework and studying the district's master plan.

Steska said he doesn't yet have a good insight into how the district runs but he will spend the summer examining the strengths and weaknesses.

"I know there are a couple issues that need attention," he said.

Operating balances and teacher salaries are real concerns, as are creating a better climate of morale among staff and getting to know civic leaders, Steska said.

He told teachers and staff last week that there is no "magic solution" to money problems, but that the district must learn to take care of itself.

"I want to be part of that fix," he said. The budget strains in the district can't be fixed overnight, but some noticeable changes can be made.

"You can't always fix it in three months, but you will see differences in the first year," he said last week.

Steska said earlier he is ready to meet the challenges ahead of him in Cape Girardeau.

"It's a little intimidating but I want to know how best to approach it," he said. That's why he will attend the monthly school board meetings and visit each of the district's buildings before July.

Steska will officially be presented as the new superintendent at Monday's board meeting.

"I don't want to take charge now," he said, "but I want to get to know the schools and the programs."

NEW SUPERINTENDENT

PERSONAL

*48 years old

*Married

*Four children

PROFESSIONAL

*Superintendent at Arcadia Valley schools in Ironton for two years.

*Worked one year as assistant superintendent.

*Served in Perryville School District for 24 years.

*Worked as English teacher, assistant principal and high school principal.