SEARCH FOR JACKSON SCHOOL HEAD DISCUSSED

JACKSON -- The search for superintendent Wayne Maupin's replacement continued Thursday, with parents meeting at Orchard Elementary to discuss qualities they want in a top school administrator.

The basic list was typical: Christian morals, common sense and good communication skills.

Parents differed on other issues, such as whether the new superintendent needs a doctorate or should have a teaching background in something other than physical education.

Maupin announced earlier this year he would retire on June 30, 1995. Jackson R-2 school board officials hope to have someone chosen by early next year, and they hired the Missouri School Boards Association to lead the search.

For a fee equal to 5 percent of the successful candidate's annual salary, the MSBA met with each school board member, faculty member, administrator and with the Jackson High School Student Council to determine job qualifications. Thursday's meeting was an open forum for anyone affected by the local school system.

Gale Bartow, senior search consultant, led the meeting, assisted by Carol Gamble, a Farmington school board member.

Bartow explained that the search was concentrated on Missouri but open nationwide. Advertisements have been placed in national superintendents' magazines and other publications, and Bartow has aggressively recruited several candidates.

In the next week, Bartow and Gamble will design a brochure about the Jackson school system to give prospective candidates.

"You really have something special here," Gamble said. "This is a great community to attract your potential superintendent."

The parents, along with five attending school board members, began by discussing their school system's advantages. They mentioned caring teachers, good community cooperation and desirable loc~ation.

"There's a good foundation here," said Nancy Gillard, who has a child in kindergarten. "With the growth that is going to happen in this community, the right superintendent could take this district to a superior level."

A few participants mentioned things about Jackson's schools that needed improvement. They included a need for more classrooms, computers and vocational classes.

Sue Sappington, whose daughter is in classes for learning disabled students, said she would like to see improvements in that curriculum. A father said Jackson needed more vocational classes for students who aren't college bound.

Consultant Bartow concluded the meeting by discussing salaries. While Maupin currently draws $73,000 annually, that amount might not be enough for some candidates. The board must decide whether or not to go higher for a good prospect.

Maupin, 52, joined the district in 1969 as a student teacher, working his way through the ranks to become superintendent seven years ago. He said he doesn't have set plans for after retirement.