Staff, community welcome new Joplin superintendent

May 03, 2008 10:11 pm

— By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
C.J. Huff will tell you that improving Joplin’s graduation rate is the biggest and most exciting challenge ahead of him as the next superintendent of Joplin R-8 schools.
“I like to problem-solve and this is obviously one of the biggest problems they’ve had to face in the history of the district,” he said.
Huff, who was in town Saturday for a welcoming reception at the Roi S. Wood Administration Center, met with members of the administrative staff, school faculty and community members.
Accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Huff, 38, praised Joplin for its sense of community.
“I think there’s a small-town feel in this community that you don’t see in a lot of larger school districts,” he said. “I’m excited to get into the community and get involved.”
Anne Sharp, school board president, said she remains convinced the board picked the right man for the job.
“I think we made an excellent choice,” she said. “Just seeing him intermingle with the administrative staff and community out there, I think he’s going to become a part of Joplin just quicker than we thought.”
Huff’s hiring in April capped a two-month search to replace Jim Simpson, who in February announced plans to resign June 30 to accept the superintendent’s post with the Lindbergh School District in suburban St. Louis. His contract begins July 1.
Brenda Schmid, a special education teacher at Kelsey Norman Elementary School, said her first impression of the new superintendent was “very positive.”
“He seemed very upbeat. He seemed like he’s open to suggestions,” she said. “I think he’s going to be a real plus for our school district.”
Schmid said she hopes Huff also will look into reducing class sizes.
“I’m sorry to see our superintendent now go, because I think he’s done a lot of positive things for our district,” Schmid said. “But I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to see this one pick up right where he left off.”

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C.J. Huff has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pittsburg (Kan.) State University, two master’s degrees from Missouri State University in Springfield and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Arkansas.

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