A native of Bucklin will become the new superintendent of the Trenton R-9 School District, effective with the 2003-2004 school year, after accepting a contract offer from the board of education.
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A native of Bucklin will become the new superintendent of the Trenton R-9 School District, effective with the 2003-2004 school year, after accepting a contract offer from the board of education.
Craig Noah will assume the superintendent?s position and replace Harry Wheeler, who is retiring on July 1. Noah is currently superintendent of the Keytesville R-3 School District and has signed a two-year contract at a salary of $86,000.
Noah received his bachelor of science degree in physical education in 1997 from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, then earned a master?s degree in physical education and health from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville in 1998. He will receive his education specialist degree this December from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.
Noah, who is in his second year as superintendent of schools at Keytesville, was one of six persons interviewed by the board of education for the position and one of two finalists who was interviewed a second time. According to Noah, his meeting with the board was among the reasons he continued to seek the job.
?In my initial interview with the board I could tell that the community was very supportive of the schools and I saw that again when I saw the kind of facilities that we have for the kids,? he said. ?In reviewing what kind of course offerings we have, I can see that our district is taking a very proactive approach in what is available for the kids.?
Noah will be coming to Trenton, which has an 1,100-plus student population, from a district that has just 180 students in grades kindergarten through 12. While this may seem like a big jump, Noah said he believes his training in a small district will give him an advantage as he deals with situations in a larger district.
?The job is the same, no matter what the size of the district,? Noah said. ?In a smaller district, your responsibilities are spread out more and you do a little bit of everything, which gets you involved in a lot of things. That, I think, helps you better prepare when you go to a bigger district, where you can concentrate on just a few areas and use that experience you gained in the smaller district.?
As for an education philosophy, Noah?s is simple.
?I want our school to be the best school it can be,? he said. ?Not number two or number three, but to be the best. I know right now that Trenton is good in a lot of areas and it will be my job to help us be the best school district and provide the best education we can for our children.?
To do that, Noah said he will be making a study of the community and district.
?I?ll be taking a look at the local history to see what needs to be done,? he said. ?That?s the benefit of getting the job early. I can attend some board meetings and activities and get to know people in the community. I feel that?s very important.?
Noah is married. His wife, Julie, is a registered nurse with the Chariton County Health Department, which supplies school nurses to the school districts within the county. The couple has three children, Hank, age 4; Tucker, age 2; and Cy, who will be 1 in January.
In a written statement from the board of education, members noted that Noah ?is energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and a strong advocate for students. The board feels he will be an effective leader for the district and that his family will be an asset to the Trenton community.?