Superintendent's future still uncertain at Mehlville

The future of Jackson School District superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson is still up in the air as he waits for information regarding his candidacy for the superintendent's position with the Mehlville School District in south St. Louis County.

According to Richard Huddleston, president of Mehlville School District's board of education, board members voted Monday to extend a contract for the superintendent's position, but will not release that person's name until the contract is accepted.

Anderson was one of 30 people to apply for the position currently held by John Cary, who will retire this summer. The applicants were narrowed down to three finalists -- Anderson, Dr. Jane Reed and Dr. Tim Ricker, both of whom are currently employed as assistant superintendents at Mehlville.

Last week, school officials announced that Reed and Ricker had dropped out of the running, leaving Anderson as the only candidate. But it was unclear whether the board would offer the position to Anderson or open it up to other applicants.

On Thursday, Anderson said he had not heard from Mehlville school officials.

"With the holidays, I think they may have gotten delayed," Anderson said. "Being 100 miles away, I'm a little out of the loop, so I don't know where they are on this."

Huddleston said if everything goes as planned, the school board may be ready to release the name of their new superintendent by Jan. 3.

The Mehlville School District has a total population of around 12,000 students, and has two high schools, three middle schools, 11 elementary schools and an early childhood center.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128