Jackson hires new associate superintendent

As he wraps up his last year as school superintendent in Altenburg, Missouri, Bleau Deckerd is preparing for a new position in Jackson, where he once taught fifth grade.

On July 1, Deckerd will become the Jackson School District's new associate superintendent of finance and operations.

"I think Jackson is in a really good position right now," he said.

During his eight years in Altenburg, Deckerd presided over a school building for grades pre-K through 8, or about 130 children.

Not only was he superintendent of the tiny system, but he also acted as school principal and even custodian on occasion.

In Jackson, which has a little more than 5,000 students and 11 school buildings, Deckerd will be focused more on budgetary issues.

"It's what I'm already doing in Altenburg, but on a larger scale," he said.

That's particularly exciting in light of the strategic planning process superintendent John Link has been pushing forward in the Jackson district for the past several months. Findings from the process will be presented to the school board next month.

"Some goals are going to be more attainable than others, but I look forward to the administration working with teachers and the community and seeing what we're able to accomplish," Deckerd said.

Before taking the leadership role in Altenburg, Deckerd taught fifth grade for four years in Perry County, Missouri, and one year before that in Jackson.

He received his bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2003 from Southeast Missouri State University and his master's degree in education from William Woods University two years later.

Deckerd also has a specialist degree in educational administration from William Woods, which he earned in 2010.

He is replacing Wade Bartels, who is beginning a new position as community bank president of Alliance Bank in Jackson.

ljones@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3652

Pertinent address:

614 E. Adams St., Jackson, Mo.