Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 Source: Beckley Register-Herald (WV) Copyright: 2002 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd86 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: Nerissa Young SUMMERS BOARD DRAFTS SCHOOLS CHIEF QUALIFICATIONS HINTON - Wanted: A schools superintendent for a rural county in southeastern West Virginia. The Summers County school board drafted qualifications for Superintendent Richie Rodes' successor at a special Tuesday workshop. The final parameters will be approved at the board's regular Jan. 17 meeting. Members Cletis Pack, Sue Angell and David Ballard spent an hour with Rodes and central office administrators discussing the kind of candidate they want as superintendent July 1. Rodes' retirement is effective June 30. Business manager Joe Kessler shared a copy of state requirements for superintendents and several superintendent job postings from other counties. Ballard said the Ritchie County system is comparable to Summers' and suggested they use that description as a template. Members agreed. Pack suggested the posting include goals. "I'd like for the applicant to know up front that this is what the board expects to be done during their tenure." He suggested higher test scores, lower dropout rates and eradicating the county's drug problem as goals. Curriculum/attendance director Sarah Brown suggested "reducing the county's drug problem." Putting the responsibility of eradication on the school system implies it is a school problem instead of a community problem, she said. Pack agreed with the change, suggesting the superintendent be actively involved in programs and efforts to combat drug abuse. "Norman Schwarzkopf couldn't get the drugs out of any county," he said of the popular Gulf War general. Ballard suggested the goals include improved student attendance. Rodes said high standards are commendable but noted the system was recently awarded full accreditation, which means it meets all state standards. The qualifications tentatively include: required state certification with at least a master's degree in school administration and a superintendent certification, experience as an education leader and administrator, residence and voter qualification in Summers County and the state code requirements. Central office experience and at least five years of administrative experience in public schools are preferred. The contract term and salary will be negotiable. Rodes' salary is $60,000 annually. Board members questioned their ability to hire a new superintendent with four seats up for grabs in the May 14 election. Kessler said the board can offer up to a four-year contract if the superintendent is hired before May 1. After that date, the contract term can be no more than one year. Members agreed to approve the qualifications at the next meeting and post the job Jan. 18, with a Feb. 4 deadline for applications. The board will open applications at the Feb. 7 regular meeting and set a date to review them. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth