SCHOOL CHOICES

A quick decision is expected on who will be the next superintendent of the Cape Girardeau public schools. This is just the latest in a string of decisive actions by the school board to move the district into both a new era of leadership as well as a period of serious attention to the district's needs, both at the classroom level and in meeting the major challenges of the future.

The community has enthusiastically embraced the board's decision to pick a new superintendent from within the system. Using outside consultants and making nationwide searches might be appropriate in some instances, but this method has proven costly and has produced less than satisfactory results when measured by recent history.

Instead, the board has heeded both common sense and the strong feelings from within and without the school system that there are two strong contenders for the post right here at home. One is Richard Bollwerk, who is the district's assistant superintendent and was picked last month to be the acting superintendent during the current transition period. Another is Dan Tallent, who is principal of Central High School through the end of the school year and one of three finalists for the superintendent's position in the Perryville school system.

Both candidates were interviewed this week by the Cape Girardeau School Board, and a decision is forthcoming. Many observers regard this is a win-win-win situation. First, there is every indication that either candidate would be a good choice for the district, although the board must choose based on the aims it hopes to achieve over the next few years. This is a win-win choice. Not only does the board have an established track record in the district to weigh, it also has the advantage of listening to teachers, staff and community members who know both candidates.

The third winning point is that choosing a new superintendent from within the system is likely to make for a smooth transition. New leaders, whether in education or business, tend to like to make over the system they inherit. Both Bollwerk and Tallent have been part of that process in the Cape Girardeau school system and, therefore, should be sensitive to changes that will have the best impact on students.