JACKSON SCHOOLS: SUPERINTENDENT HUNT DISCUSSED

JACKSON -- Only two people from the community attended a public forum Monday night at the Middle School cafeteria to discuss what qualities the public wants in a new school superintendent.

Dr. Howard Jones, superintendent of the Jackson School District, announced his resignation last month. He will leave his post June 30.

Despite the low numbers from the community, board members were not disappointed.

"None of us expected a big turnout," said President Jack Knowlan Jr., "but we wanted to offer an opportunity if people wanted to show up."

Six of the seven board members and three staff members, including Jones, also attended the forum, which turned into an informal question-and-answer session with Carol Gamble, a consultant from the Missouri School Boards Association.

Gamble is working as part of an MSBA team helping the Jackson district in its superintendent search.

John Thompson, a parent with three children enrolled in Jackson schools, said he'd like to see more leadership and support for the building principals as they work with teachers.

Thompson, who moved to the district from Cincinnati 2 1/2 years ago, said Jackson is one of the better districts he's seen. But he'd like to see a superintendent who could lead by example as well as by helping principals so that there is consistent support for staff.

Board members agreed and are working to create such an atmosphere through professional development programs, said school board member Dr. T. Wayne Lewis.

In recruiting administrators for other districts, Gamble said she's found many people who have expressed an interest in the Jackson position. Gamble is also helping the Cape Girardeau school board in its quest to find a replacement for Superintendent Dr. Dan Tallent. Perryville's board of education is considering whether to hire a consultant in its search for a superintendent. Dr. Rex Miller also has resigned after three years at Perryville.

Area schools aren't alone in their searches for superintendents, Gamble said. Many districts are looking, and the applicant pool is smaller than in the past.

"I'm not sure you can find someone to fill Howard's shoes, but you can find someone to step into them," she told board members.

The board hopes to collect applications through Dec. 4 and then screen candidates for interviews by the first of the year. It's roughly the same schedule the district set when searching for a superintendent four years ago.

Although the search is targeted primarily at Missouri administrators, it will have both a regional and national scope.

To help discover what qualities are necessary in a new school district leader, the board circulated a survey among its faculty and staff asking them to rank the qualities they would like to see in a new administrator.

The list also appeared in the Southeast Missourian this weekend. Few people had responded by Monday night. Faculty and staff surveys are expected back later this week.

The survey asks respondents to rank the following categories from one to 10, with one being the highest or most important quality. The list includes:

-- Expertise in fiscal management.

-- Expertise in oral communication.

-- Ability to provide leadership to staff.

-- Ability to work in harmony with the board.

-- Integrity and high moral standards.

-- Sensitivity in human relations.

-- Curriculum development expertise.

-- Experience as a administrator.

-- Great amount of common sense.

-- Has parental experience.

For questions or to respond to the survey, contact the Board of Education office at 614 E. Adams or at 243-95O1.