5 applications opened in quest for new superintendent

Southland Superintendent Raymond Lasley, left, discusses the MSIP Accountability Plan with the Board of Education, including Board President Derrick Higgins, left, and Kathy Zolman, right. Staff photo by George Anderson

CARDWELL, Mo. -- The Southland Board of Education opened five applications for the position of superintendent during the executive session portion of its meeting on Thursday evening, with interviews to begin next week.

The five individuals include, current Cardwell Mayor and retired Southland Elementary Principal John Prince, current Southland Elementary Principal Alicia Shaw, Senath-Hornersville High School Principal Kim Campbell, Senath-Hornersville Public Schools Agricultural Director John Dern, and Senath-Hornersville Middle School Math Teacher Becca Cook.

According to current Superintendent Raymond Lasley, the board's current plan is to make an offer for the position of superintendent on Dec. 10. Lasley said he will be using today to schedule interviews with the five applicants.

Also during the meeting, the district's Music Committee informed the board that it has scheduled the annual Christmas Program for 6 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The committee said the music has been chosen and the classes are currently practicing.

School Board President Derrick Higgins informed the board that he appreciates the work put in by the committee for the event.

"You all have always done a terrific job with it," Higgins said to the committee, who said the Christmas Program is the highest attended Music Committee event.

Following the Music Committee presentation, the board briefly discussed the district's Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) Accountability Plan.

According to Lasley, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) representative recently contacted him, informing Lasley that the district's plan is currently at Jefferson City, Mo., being reviewed.

Lasley reminded the board that a large portion of the plan focused on rewriting the district's curriculum to emphasis the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) and Class Level Expectations (CLEs).

Lasley then said he will give an update to DESE next month, reporting the percentage of GLEs and CLEs that have already been covered this year and the percentage of students who have shown to be proficient in the areas of math, communication arts, and science for the first semester.

In other matters, the board:

* Approved the filing period for the 2010 school board election. The filing period will begin at 8 a.m., Dec. 15, 2009 and will end at 5 p.m., Jan. 19, 2010, and;

* Discussed using Senath State Bank for the lease-purchase of a new 2010 school bus at four-percent interest. The bus will be paid for using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.