SCHOOL: PRINICIPAL WILL LEAD SC DISTRICT

SCOTT CITY -- Douglas Berry, longtime elementary principal at Scott City, has been named the district's new superintendent.

He will replace Superintendent Bob Brison, who announced his resignation last week.

The Board of Education named Berry at a special meeting Tuesday. Berry has been elementary principal for 26 years.

"When the position came open last week, I decided that I would like the additional challenge of being responsible for the entire school," Berry said Wednesday. "The challenge of making a very fine school system operate even more effectively appeals to me as an educator."

Board of Education President Gale Dale said Wednesday that Berry was the board's first choice.

"We felt it was best to look internally," she said. "I'm sure there are a lot of good superintendents out there, but we thought since he was qualified we would see if he was interested."

The board met with Berry Tuesday night.

"He knows the community, the students and the workings of the school," Dale said. "I think he will do a good job. I have a lot of confidence in Doug and think he'll be a good superintendent."

Dale said the board was looking for someone to continue operation of the district without a lot of changes.

"We have a good school system right now," she said. "Things run fairly smooth and I would hope that would continue."

Now the district will embark on a search to find a new elementary principal, she said.

Berry said pride in the school system is among his top goals as superintendent. He will take over the position in July.

"The people of Scott City have tremendous pride in their school. My goal will be to build on this pride and hopefully create an even greater pride in the school," Berry said.

"I also would like to create a working environment for the entire staff to feel a strong sense of worth and pride in the school and to look forward to coming to work each day.

"My ultimate goal will be to build on the pride in the school and for all students to be able to say, `I love going to Scott City school and I am treated with respect and fairness.'"

Berry now has students in school who are children of his former students. "It is a comforting feeling for you to have former students to express confidence in you as the principal," he said. "As principal I have enjoyed strong student and parent support. As superintendent I would want this to continue."

Brison said he is pleased with the choice of his successor.

"I think it will be for the benefit of the school," he said. "I think it was important for us to look inward."

Since Berry is familiar with the school, staff, students and parents, Brison anticipates the transition will be smooth.

"We will be involved in a pretty large renovation project this summer," he said. "We will be able to continue on with that with no disruptions."

Brison's contract runs through the end of June. He and Berry will do some joint planning between now and then.

"We will work together on staff and budgets for the next year," Brison said.

Brison said: "He'll be a very popular choice. He's seen a lot of youngsters come through the elementary program, and he is a very capable administrator."