Editorial: A year of transition for area schools, university

The 2015-2016 academic years will be a transitional one for many schools in the area.

Of course that begins with Southeast Missouri State University, where a presidential search committee has whittled down a lengthy list of candidates to just four, one of whom will replace Dr. Kenneth Dobbins.

But there has been a strangely large number of local K-12 superintendents who are on their way out. New superintendents will be in place at Jackson, Scott City, Oak Ridge and Oran.

In Jackson, John Link, from the Fair Grove School District, will replace Dr. Ron Anderson, who has been the superintendent there since 1999.

Brian Lee, high school principal at Diamond School District in Diamond, Missouri, will take over for Diann Ulmer.

In the Oak Ridge School District, Gerald Landewee is retiring after 12 years in his current role, being replaced by Adrian Eftink, a longtime elementary principal in the district.

And in Oran, acting superintendent Mitch Wood recently accepted a superintendent position in Dexter, meaning Oran will be looking for a new leader soon.

We wish all the newcomers success as they take on the vital role of providing leadership for the learning of our children. We wish the best for the outgoing educators as well, hoping they find happiness in their next chapters.

Most Southeast Missourians in the Cape Girardeau area place a lot of pride in their school districts. We hope these leaders elevate these public institutions to new levels of student achievement. Good luck and God bless.