SCOTT SCHOOLS CHOOSE LEADER

SCOTT CITY -- It was a job search that didn't take long to complete.

After two months of screening applications, the Scott City Board of Education unanimously voted Friday to hire Roger Tatum as its new superintendent. He begins work July 1.

"We were very fortunate to have the number of applications we had in such a short time," said Gale Dale, board president. "We had good applicants. It's just that he stood out more."

Superintendent Doug Berry, who has been a school administrator in the district for more than 25 years, announced his retirement in January. His contract expires June 30.

The Oak Ridge school board will meet tonight to accept Tatum's resignation and discuss its search for a new superintendent.

"I've done a lot at Oak Ridge and now I'll move over to Scott City and see what I can do there," Tatum said, adding that he has always been interested in working in Scott City.

Tatum completed an internship with Doug Berry several years ago and has always kept up with the school district, he said.

District size, location and programs were some of the factors that enticed Tatum to leave Oak Ridge after eight years as superintendent there.

"Scott City's school district is an optimum size with about 1,000 students," he said. "You can have a variety of programs and run them efficiently."

Technology is one of the essential programs that helps students prepare for their future, Tatum said.

Scott City is "a leader in getting students prepared for college or to go into the world and work," he said.

Dale said Tatum was chosen for his enthusiasm, eagerness and ideas.

"We wanted somebody who would be good with the community and get involved," she said. "And somebody who would move us forward. We don't want to just stand still. I think he's that type of superintendent."

Although the board has no such requirement in its three-year contract, Tatum agreed to move into the district.

"It's just logical," he said of the move. Besides, Tatum is no stranger to Scott County.

For 17 years, he worked in the Chaffee school district as a social studies teacher and counselor before becoming principal. His wife Mary Ann still teaches in the Chaffee district.

In 1986, Tatum took a job as principal at Kelly High School in Benton. He became superintendent at Oak Ridge in 1988.