SCHOOL DEPARTURES WILL BE BOARD TOPIC

Cape Girardeau's Board of Education will talk behind closed doors at today's board meeting about the impact of resignations by the superintendent and high-school principal.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in room 214 of the Vocational-Technical School. Other parts of the meeting are open to the public.

Superintendent Neyland Clark announced last week he plans to stay on the job until the end of his contract June 30, 1998. He made the announcement by submitting his resignation effective on that date.

The week before, Central High School Principal Dan Tallent announced his resignation effective at the end of this school year.

Clark said he announced his resignation two and one-half years early in hopes that Tallent might reconsider leaving the district. Tallent said his decision to leave wasn't based on Clark staying or leaving the school district. Neither has another job.

Monday's meeting will be the first opportunity school board members have had to discuss what the resignations will mean to the school district.

Board president, Dr. Bob Fox, said, "I think a lot of good is going to come out of all of this."

Acceptance of the letters of resignation will be considered during the open portion of the meeting under the consent agenda. The consent agenda is a time when the board approves routine reports, minutes and personnel items, including resignations.

Often the items are approved without comment from board members. However, Fox said, the board will talk about personnel matters, including Clark, Tallent and perhaps some others in the closed portion of the meeting, which follows the open session.

Missouri law allows the school board to discuss the merits and performance of specific employees behind closed doors.

In addition, the board could have as many as five student discipline cases to address in closed session.

Fox said if decisions are made in the closed session, an announcement will be made at the end of that portion of the meeting.

Fox said he has had lots of calls and several letters from people expressing their views on the two administrators' announcements.

Cape Girardeau Board of Education

Monday, Dec. 11 6 p.m.

Vocational-Technical School, room 214

Agenda

Action items

Assessment program

Budget amendments to expenditures

Fund transfers

Election dates

Change in board meeting dates

Non-action items

Policy updates

Closed session to consider:

-- Two matters involving hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees

-- Five cases concerning scholastic probation, expulsion or graduation of identifiable individuals.

Announcement of any action taken during closed session