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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth