The Perry County School Board took the next steps in the process of finding a new superintendent. The board held a special board work session on Tuesday to go over exactly what the board is looking for on a potential candidate.
The board once again met with Missouri School Board Association consultant Dr. Steve Brotherton to go over the results from the school board survey, which all seven of the members completed. Community members and members of the district staff also completed the survey as well. In total, there were more than 160 community survey completed.
“The purpose of this meeting is for me to figure out exactly what the board views as good characteristics of any potential candidates,” Brotherton said. “We have fielded some calls for some candidates, and while the numbers aren’t really robust right now, we are not worried about that at this time.”
The main characteristics that the board discussed as a group is someone who listens to the board recommendations and the district staff as a whole.
“I think it’s important that we get someone who can build those types of relationships because I feel it’s important to have that with not only us as a board, but also it’s staff. A relationship with the staff and students is some of the most important relationships you can have.”
Robinson also feels that the district is going in a positive direction when it comes to the budget and other fiscal matters.
“We are in a good spot with that we have some momentum,” Robinson said. “I think Andy [Comstock] has built something with the budget and I want to keep it that way.”
Brotherton and the board talked about both strengths and weaknesses and while the board believes that the community backs the school and its staff, it’s support has wavered during the pandemic.
“I don’t think it’s the whole community,” Robinson said. “I think we have done some good things with passing the bond issue years ago, but it has been strained the past year and a half.”
Overall, the board feels that the district is strong in several areas including several plans curriculum cycles and feels fiscally sound. What they are not looking for is a candidate that is going to come in and blow up the existing structure, but instead work within the plan and see how they can enhance those plans and improve them.
The community survey which included 89 community members and another 74 staff members focused on strengths of the district such as the caring staff, the community as a whole, safety in schools, facilities and fiscal health came up multiple times. The concerns included COVID-19, students falling behind, need for improved curriculum, instruction, and staff retention and pay.
