Officials could name superintendent Oct. 16

By Lynn Hotaling and Carey Phillips

School Board Chairman Martha Queen announced Friday that school board members would resume their meeting Monday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. but refused to speculate on the chances of a superintendent being named at that time.

"We're just going to have to wait until next Monday night," Queen said. "Frank Burrell is not leaving until February. We have the time to do a lot of research."

Five candidates for the school system's top job were interviewed Oct. 2, including the presumed front-runner, Cherokee County Superintendent Gary Steppe. Queen declined either to confirm or deny the board's interest in Steppe, but other sources indicate that negotiations with Steppe are in progress.

Steppe did not return The Herald's call before presstime.

Steppe's current salary is $104,220 per year, according to the Cherokee County school system finance officer. His compensation package includes $7,904 per month from state funds, the maximum possible for his classification (Superintendent II); and $781 per month from local funds.

Jackson County's superintendent currently earns $98,887, said local school system finance officer David Steinbicker. His salary package includes $6,323.94 per month from state funds; and $1,916.65 in local money (travel and local supplement). Burrell is also classified as a Superintendent II due a county school population that falls between 2,501 and 5,000 students.

Six candidates were interviewed Aug. 2, making a total of 11 who remain in consideration for the school system's top administrative job, Queen said last week. Sources have confirmed that three local administrators - Arlin Middleton, Sue Nations and Lib Balcerek - were among the first group interviewed for the superintendent's post.

Back to Archive: 10/12/00.