New Cape superintendent meets with board

Dr. Dave Scala's first six months as superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District will be used to familiarize himself with district programs, employees, state education issues and the community.

"My primary objective in the first few months will be to get to know as much about the district as possible," said Scala, who met with the school board in a special meeting Thursday.

Scala will officially continue in his current role as assistant superintendent in the Sioux Falls, S.D. school district through June 30, but said he will likely take his final week there off to allow time to pack.

He will assume the superintendent's job in Cape Girardeau July 1.

The board hired Scala in December with a first-year salary of $132,500.

"I don't come in with preconceived notions. I have to have time to see what's happening in the districts and get the ideas of the board, too," Scala said.

Among the first items on Scala's to-do list are meetings with faculty and staff members as well as community organizations.

Between the start of school and January, when the school board will evaluate the job he's done, Scala will develop ideas for a strategic plan to improve the district and also a new system of evaluating employees.

Along with those potential changes, some restructuring of the school board and its functions were also discussed at Thursday's meeting.

Board members discussed putting in place a process that would allow the superintendent and other adminstrators to evaluate them.

"I think it's a good idea. If we're going to operate on the highest level possible we need to know what their perception or misperceptions are," said Sharon Mueller, vice president of the board.

The board also plans to consider its current committees, including finance and building/grounds committees that board members serve on with school employees, at a future meeting.

Board member Charles Bertrand suggested that board members not serve on those types of committees and instead have school employees report directly to the entire board for updates.

"Everybody else on those committees is paid. We're elected officials," said Bertrand.

cmiller@semissourian.com

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