HOPEFUL FOR PERRYVILLE SUPERINTENDENT STILL RECALLS TEACHING DAYS

PERRYVILLE -- Rex D. Miller hopes to find a new job with Perry County School District No. 32.

Miller, 50, is one of three men who are being interviewed this week for the superintendent's job. Superintendent Ron Fitch announced his resignation last fall; he will leave the district at the end of the school year.

"It would be a step up," Miller said. "Over the years, as an educator, I've learned a great deal about teachers. If accepted, I will do a good job in this community."

About 50 teachers met with Miller for a question-and-answer session Tuesday afternoon in the senior high school library.

The questions ranged from his family background to his views on assertive discipline. Each teacher was given a blank index card on which questions were written and a green index card to write an overall opinion of the candidate.

The cards will be tabulated by Jim Comer, a consultant who is helping the school board with its search. The board hopes to make a decision by its Jan. 17 meeting.

Miller is superintendent at the Osage County R-3 School District in Westphalia, south of Jefferson City. He has been working in the district, which has about 850 students, for four years. Perryville has about 2,300 students in its district.

Miller was also superintendent of the South Callaway School District in Mokane for several years. He earned his doctorate degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. Miller first began his career as a high school history teacher in Indiana.

Miller said he still understands how hard it is to be a classroom teacher.

"I look forward to working with professional teachers," he said. "I'll do my part to support you so that you can do your job. I know it's a tough job."

In the last decade, education has taken some unfair criticism, he said.

"I think all schools are different," he said. "I've seen a lot of good schools in rural Missouri, and you get a good value for your dollar."

He said the Perryville district has "good things going for it."

Miller admitted that if he does take the job in Perryville, his administrative style might have to change because of the difference in district size. But he still likes to visit the buildings and staff often.

"I eat lunch with the teachers," he said. "I like the coaches because I think they're my friends and I like to talk to them."

Miller and his wife, Kathleen, have three children: Susan, Emily and Ian.

Board President Orville Schaefer said all three candidates have "done their homework" before visiting.

Dr. Dan Tallent will visit the district today. Tallent, a high school principal in Cape Girardeau, is also a candidate in that district's search for a superintendent. He is one of two internal candidates and will interview with the Cape Girardeau Board of Education Thursday.