SCHOOLS MAY PROFIT FROM SHARING NOTES ON SEARCH

Education, as has been argued here before, is best directed from the local level. Needs are more clear, resolution of difficulties more immediate. The lines of accountability are distinct, uncluttered by distance or added bureaucracy. Thus, we regard the selection of educational leaders to be an important endeavor; it is one being carried out at several districts in this area and we see a value in the resources of these efforts being shared for the betterment of the schools involved.

The new year approaches with an unusual number of school superintendent searches under way in the area. Looking to fill the top administrative jobs of their school districts next year are board members in Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Chaffee and in the Nell Holcomb District in Cape Girardeau County. Superintendent positions are usually marked by stability, but a variety of circumstances (resignations, retirement, non-renewal of contract) in these four districts resulted in openings for the 1991 academic year.

Boards at the respective are at various stages of their search processes. In Cape Girardeau, for example, a hired consultant has recently mailed brochures to university placements offices advertising the superintendent's vacancy. The largest of the districts undertaking searches, Cape Girardeau will no doubt draw a large number of applicants for the post.

The school district and local taxpayers are spending at least $8,000 to retain the consultant. While this expert is working to locate a candidate uniquely suited for the Cape Girardeau post, the brochure betrays little that would disqualify candidates from being feasible for the other posts. Purportedly formulated after 200 interviews with a cross-section of Cape Girardeau citizens, the brochure is notably generic.

"The superintendent must have demonstrated evidence of educational and administrative leadership," the publication reads. "The successful candidate will have a sound grasp of the budgetary, negotiation and long range planning process, exhibit an outstanding ability to motivate and communicate with the staff, board and community." We hope the Cape Girardeau board finds someone with just these traits, but suspect the other districts are seeking candidates with just these characteristics.

The districts seeking superintendents are diverse in size. Those seeking a superintendent job in one of the districts might not be qualified in the others; the applicants might also only consider one district and not the others. Still, as long as all four are doing the same work, we see little harm, and some positive aspects, to comparing notes. If the goal is better education, the districts should make the best, most full use of their resources.