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R-2 Patrons Rank
Qualities for Next School Superintendent The next Chillicothe R-2 Superintendent of Schools must be passionate and talented in the recruitment, hiring and retention of qualified staff. He or she should also understand the importance of the arts in education. Those were a few of the opinions voiced last (Monday) night in the high school commons area during a public meeting conducted by a representative of the Missouri School Boards Association. The MSBA has been contracted by the school board to conduct the search process which is expected to be completed by the middle of December. The public meeting was held as part of the process and was designed to gather community input on the characteristics and skills the next R-2 superintendent should possess. Chillicothe R-2 Superintendent Dale Wallace announced a few months ago that he will retire at the end of the fiscal school year - June 30, 2008. The 10 people voicing their opinions were comprised of a few Chillicothe Education Foundation members, retired school board members, and current teachers. Current R-2 administrators met with the MSBA representative earlier Monday afternoon and members of the board of education gave their input during last week's regular October meeting. Dr. John Boise, a consultant for MSBA's superintendent search services, conducted the meeting and told those gathered that the search for applicants has already begun and so far, seven applications have been submitted for consideration. Boise said selling Chillicothe to candidates for the position won't be difficult. “I really believe that there's no better spot to be north of the Missouri River than here in Chillicothe,” he said. Boise noted that the district, now on good financial footing with a solid carry-over balance, has a good reputation in education, which should help draw a number of applicants. The deadline for applications is Nov. 21, Boise said. A week later, on Nov. 28, Boise said he will meet with school board members and will bring with him all applications. He estimated that there will likely be around 30 submitted by the deadline. After the board narrows the field to somewhere between four and six candidates, they will be interviewed on Dec. 10 and Dec. 14. A new superintendent should be hired by the end of the year, Boise said. MSBA to Hold
Public Meeting on Search for New Superintendent The Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) will conduct a public meeting to gather community input on the hiring of the next Chillicothe School District Superintendent of Schools on Monday, October 22, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school commons. The MSBA has been contracted by the school board to conduct the search process which is expected to be completed by the middle of December. Similar meetings will also be held with the school board, administrators, and staff. Wallace Announces
Retirement The Chillicothe R-2 School District will be searching for a new superintendent during the 2007-08 school year to fill the vacancy left by Dale Wallace, who has formerly announced his retirement at the end of the district's fiscal year, June 30, 2008. Board members accepted Wallace's resignation during executive session last (Tuesday) night at district headquarters following the regular September meeting. “I'm pleased that many of you would prefer that I remain but I feel that this is a good time to leave as the district is in excellent shape and you should attract a number of outstanding candidates,” Wallace wrote in his letter of resignation to the board. He also noted that notifying the board this early in the school year should allow for “a very thorough search process” this fall and early winter. “I feel that I was without a doubt the right person for this job six years ago and it's my hope that you are able to find that person again to continue to move the district forward,” Wallace wrote. Wallace has served as superintendent of the Chillicothe R-2 School District for just under six years. He took over the superintendency in July 2002 when the district found itself in dire financial straights and was, in fact, listed on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Financial Stressed List. (Schools named to that list have less than 3 percent carry-over fund balance in their respective operating funds at the end of the fiscal year.) Under Wallace's tenure, the district soon found sure financial footing after the district made some personnel cuts, reduced expenditures and successfully asked voters to pass two ballot questions involving a new levy and bond restructuring. |
