Three finalists named to lead Cape schools

Two Missouri educators and one from South Dakota are finalists in the Cape Girardeau School District's search for a new superintendent.

The local school board narrowed its search from 15 original applicants to six candidates they interviewed last week and now to three finalists, including Cape Girardeau's current assistant superintendent, Dr. Betty Chong.

The other finalists are Dr. Rudy L. Duran, current superintendent in the Steelville School District in Steelville, Mo., and Dr. David Scala, assistant superintendent for the Sioux Falls, S.D., schools.

Chong began her career in 1977 as a teacher at Franklin Elementary. She became a guidance counselor in 1983 and then special services director for the district in 1991. In 1997, she was named assistant superintendent of special education.

Chong's secretary, Teresa Haubold, is the wife of school board president Charlie Haubold. Haubold said he would consult the school district's attorney if the hiring process eventually requires him to cast a vote involving Chong.

Duran has been in education for 12 years. He has been superintendent of the Steelville School District since the 2003-2004 school year. The district has 973 students and is located in Crawford County, Mo., approximately 182 miles northwest of Cape Girardeau.

Scala has 23 years of education experience. He is currently assistant superintendent and head of the human resources department for Sioux Falls, a district of nearly 20,000 students.

He's been in that position since 1999. Prior to that, Scala was superintendent of the Keokuk School District in Iowa for seven years.

The school board will hold special meet-and-greet sessions with each candidate next week for select members of the community. Haubold said the board hopes to choose a new superintendent by Christmas.

Cape Girardeau's superintendent search began in August when the school board voted against renewing current superintendent Mark Bowles' contract.

The search is being conducted by the Missouri School Boards' Association for between $12,000 and $15,000. Bowles' contract expires next June. The new superintendent would officially take over July 1.

cclark@semissourian.com

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