EVALUATION OF SUPERINTENDENT BY SCHOOL BOARD HASN'T BEGUN

The school board's annual evaluation of Cape Girardeau school superintendent, Dr. Neyland Clark, hasn't begun although his contract says the process should have been completed in February.

School board members said Wednesday the process has never been completed by the end of February.

Board members Bob Fox, Steve Wright and John Campbell said Clark has said he didn't plan to seek an extension of his contract. But board members Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp said they haven't heard the same comment.

Clark said Wednesday afternoon, "I'm not prepared to give a comment on that at this time."

Clark's contract calls for at least one school board meeting during or before February to be devoted to the superintendent's performance and to consider extending the contract or entering into a new contract.

Board president Ed Thompson said some confusion exists as to whose job it is to conduct the evaluation. He thought it was the job of the past president. Past president John Campbell said it's the job of the outgoing president. The leadership of the board changes following the April election. Campbell conducted last year's evaluation. It began in April and was completed during the board's St. Louis retreat in August.

Clark was awarded a one-year extension last year, bringing the total to three years. Two school years remain on the contract. He also got a salary raise.

Thompson said that after this year he thinks the evaluation should be done earlier and in compliance with the contract.

Fox agrees. Last year Fox was new to the board and was asked to participate in the evaluation.

"I can see where you ought to get that done before you get new members on the board," he said.

Board Member Pat Ruopp said if the board doesn't intend to do the superintendent's evaluation and contract negotiations before the end of February, the contract should be changed.

When this year's evaluation takes place, Ruopp plans to bring up this point.

He said salaries of all district personnel are relative to the superintendent's salary and the superintendent's negotiation should occur first.

Ruopp said some board members have said evaluating the superintendent early in the year might have an impact on school board elections, which are held in April.

"But we're supposed to do it," Ruopp said.

Board member Kathy Swan said the February date makes sense for an evaluation. Spring is when schools search for superintendents.

"It's a good time for superintendents to know what their future is," Swan said.

During the evaluation process, school board members each fill out a form and the person who coordinates the evaluation compiles the information. A closed meeting is held with the board and superintendent to discuss the evaluation and the contract.

Although Clark's employment has been extended each year, Ruopp said his contract has never been revised or reviewed.

"It needs to be reviewed on an annual basis," Ruopp said. "That's only good business."

Ruopp was president of the board when Clark was hired and Ruopp's signature appears on the contract.

Board members don't keep copies of the superintendent's contract. Copies are handed out at meetings when the contract is discussed, but members turn the copies back in, Ruopp said.

"We just don't indiscriminately hand out superintendents' contracts," Ruopp said.

Diane Howard, attorney for the school district, said a school superintendent's contract is considered an open record under Missouri law.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Cape Girardeau Schools Superintendent Dr. Neyland Clark's 1994-95 salary and benefits package, as approved by the school board:

Salary (salary + car allowance) -- $78,997

Retirement -- $8,089

Health insurance (self and family) -- $4,902

Dental insurance (self) -- $99

Life insurance -- $22

Annuity -- $9,262

$300,000 variable life insurance policy -- $11,124

Vacation days -- $20

TOTAL -- $112,495