Ozark R-6 extends superintendent's contract

The Ozark R-6 School District board voted unanimously to extend the contract of first-year superintendent Kevin Patterson through June 2016.

Patterson has been with the district since 1987, starting out as a math and computer teacher and moving into administrative roles as high school assistant principal in 1996, junior high school principal in 2002 and associate superintendent in 2006, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. He will begin his second year as superintendent in August, according to a news release.

“In his first months as superintendent, Patterson has done an effective job of carrying forward the Ozark district’s vision and mission," board President Chuck Fugate said in the release. "He has put a team in place which is providing effective leadership, implementation and stewardship of existing goals.

"We believe Dr. Patterson and his leadership team will implement and oversee the high expectations of the board and Ozark community going forward.”

The board has yet to determine whether to raise Patterson's current salary of $135,000. District Director of Communications Curtis Chesick said conversations are on hold until after April when the board decides what – if anything –  to do with the district's teacher salary scale.

The board identified Patterson's work to refocus the district’s mission and vision, enhance and expand existing programs and high marks from staff and community as its reasons for retaining the superintendent.