TWO RURAL DISTRICTS ANNOUNCE HIRINGS

PATTON -- Like other new school administrators in Southeast Missouri, their names are familiar but their jobs are changing slightly.

Gerald Deardorff and Duane Schindler were respectively hired as superintendent for Meadow Heights and Marquand-Zion schools.

Schindler will take the helm at Marquand-Zion schools when Deardorff leaves for Patton. Schlindler had been principal at Oak Ridge for 19 years.

The Meadow Heights school board received about 15 applications for its position and narrowed the list to five applicants, said Meadow Heights board president Dennis Mouser.

The process took several weeks and lots of long hours, he said, adding that the board was happy with its choice.

"We were looking for a leader and he had the most experience," Mouser said.

Deardorff has been superintendent at Marquand-Zion for 12 years but was ready for a new challenge. "I think that perhaps, like a lot of people, after so long a time you don't find as many challenges," he said.

He should find plenty of challenges at Meadow Heights where voters approved a $750,000 bond proposal in April. The bond revenue will pay for building renovations and handicap accessible improvements. The repair work should begin in mid-July.

"It's a little early to say," Deardorff said. "But I've been successful in this job and one in Meadville in carrying those through. I want to continue to improve the education at Meadow Heights."

During his 25-year career in education, Deardorff has helped two districts pass more than $800,000 combined in bond issues.

Deardorff, who lives in Cape Girardeau, first began teaching at Ludlow schools in 1964 and was promoted to high school principal in 1971.

He was superintendent at Meadville schools for six years before taking a year off to run for the Missouri General Assembly. In 1984, he was hired as superintendent at Marquand.

Like his predecessor, Schindler was looking for a new challenge in his job -- and he found it. After 19 years as high school principal, he will take his first job as superintendent with Marquand-Zion schools.

"It's a step up and I wanted a new challenge with a different set of problems," he said.

The districts are about the same size and face some of the same problems with financial constraints. "I was impressed with the board of education," Schindler said. "They have struggled to make sure the school stays open."

Schindler's biggest challenge as superintendent will be to make sure the district has adequate funding for student education. "I will be able to affect the whole district by making decisions that will enhance the educational opportunities for all students."

Before taking a job as principal in Oak Ridge, Schindler was a junior high counselor in Sikeston.