Carolyn Vandeven, principal at L.J. Schultz Middle School for eight years, has taken a new position with Joplin public schools.

"It is true. I am leaving," said Vandeven Friday. "It's a tremendous promotion for me."

Vandeven will be assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Joplin.

The school district is about twice the size of Cape Girardeau with 7,700 students. Cape Girardeau has about 4,400.

Joplin has 13 elementary schools, two middle schools comprised of grades six and seven, two junior high schools with eighth and ninth grades, a high school and a vocational school.

"It's so exciting," Vandeven said. "I will be in charge of development of all curriculum K through 12 and in-service activities for teachers. I also will probably have eight schools assigned to me for direct supervision of principals."

Vandeven has worked in Cape Girardeau's public schools for the past 25 years. Before being named principal at the district's seventh-grade center she was a classroom teacher.

"This is what I've always wanted and aspired to," Vandeven said. "I've been looking around trying to find a job, but I've been picky. I want to be part of a quality school district."

Vandeven was one of four finalists for a central administrative position in Cape Girardeau, director of human resources. She was not hired.

"I was looking for a change," she said. "It was time in my career to make a change. I wanted central office and I wanted curriculum.

"To be able to move to a bigger district and into a job of this magnitude is quite an honor."

Vandeven said the Joplin district is working on a grant for model schools under Missouri's education law, Senate Bill 380.

"They are moving to accelerated schools and flex hours for high school including night classes for junior high students and after-school study sessions for middle schools and junior highs," she said. "I will be working directly with those new initiatives."

"I'm excited about all the wonderful things going on, and the people I have met have just been super," Vandeven said. "I'm excited about being part of their administrative team

Vandeven said she heard from the Joplin superintendent on June 10 that she was the top choice. The Joplin school board approved her appointment on Tuesday and Vandeven was notified Wednesday.

"I'll be moving to Joplin right away," she said. "My contract in Cape ends June 30 and my contract starts in Joplin July 1."

"My experience at Schultz has been wonderful. Schultz school is a wonderful, wonderful place to work. We have a wonderful program here. Things have really gone well. We've made a lot of progress toward the middle school concept.

"It was time for me to make a career advancement. This is a tremendous career advancement."

"I think everyone who knows me knows I've been looking for this," she said. "I think people will be surprised I'm leaving Cape Girardeau, but you have to go where the job is."

Vandeven said she will miss Cape Girardeau.

"I've never lived anywhere else," she said. "The parents here are wonderful, the students are wonderful. It's hard to leave all that."