Board selects Duerring superintendent, 3-2 - Position will be held on interim basis until end of school year

Kanawha County school board members today named Ron Duerring asinterim superintendent.

The board, by a 3-2 vote, named Duerring, 45, an assistantsuperintendent for the Sissonville/ South Charleston area, to serveas superintendent through June 30, 1999, the date at whichSuperintendent Jorea Marple's contract ended.

He will be paid at a rate of $80,000 a year. His salary will bepro-rated for the term that he serves.

Board President John Luoni and members Cheryle Hall and BillRaglin approved Duerring's contract. Members Betty Jarvis and PeteThaw voted against it.

Jarvis and Thaw nominated associate superintendent Charlene Byrdto the post. Ironically, both had voted against Byrd during theboard's August search for an interim superintendent.

"I think the board and myself can work together for the good ofthe students," Duerring said. "As long we keep our focus on thechildren, we can work together."

Duerring fills a slot left vacant when Marple resigned her postjust two weeks before the start of school.

The board then named Capital High Principal John Clendenen toserve as interim superintendent for four months.

Clendenen last week stepped down from the post, a decision he saidhe made when board members began saying they wanted to place someonein the position through June. He recommended Duerring to the slot.

Duerring is in his second year as assistant superintendent for thearea that includes South Charleston and Sissonville high schools andtheir feeder elementary schools, middle schools and junior highs.

He was principal at Grandview Elementary for 11 years and ateacher at Spring Hill Elementary for 10 years before that.

Duerring has a doctorate in educational administration, a master'sdegree in special education and is certified as a principal andteacher.

Principals and teachers who have worked with Duerring have said hestays in touch with what is happening in his schools.

He expects principals to do their jobs and doesn't impose hisopinion unless he is asked.

They said he is skilled at resolving conflicts between parents,teachers and principals.

Bridget Bradburn can be reached at 348-4824.