DAN TALLENT FINALIST FOR PERRYVILLE SUPERINTENDENT

PERRYVILLE -- Cape Girardeau schools superintendent Dr. Dan Tallent is one of two finalists being interviewed for the Perryville School District superintendent's position this week.

Board members are seeking a replacement for Dr. Rex Miller, who will resign July 1. Miller, who is completing the last year of his three-year contract, announced his decision to leave the school district in October.

Tallent will meet with school officials and employees to interview for the position today. A public meeting will be held from 7 to 8 tonight at the Perryville Senior High School library.

Dr. Stephen Doerr, director of assessment for the Rockwood School District in St. Louis County, also is a finalist. Doerr visited the district Tuesday.

Board members met in closed session Jan. 6 to review 16 applications and select semifinalists. In all, 27 inquiries were made regarding the position. Eight interviews were held Jan. 9, after which Tallent and Doerr were selected to visit the school district.

A final decision should be announced before the end of the month.

Tallent told the Cape Girardeau Board of Education in June that he did not want to renew his initial three-year contract. He served as Cape Girardeau Central High School principal two years before his selection as superintendent.