Ron Tucker to Be Next Bayless Superintendent

Following a search process that narrowed down from 20 candidates, Assistant Superintendant Ron Tucker has been named the next superintendent for the Bayless School District.

Tucker has been with Bayless for 12 years, serving as high school principal, junior high principal, chief academic officer and most recently assistant superintendent. Before that he spent six years at the Affton School District and three years at the St. Clair School District in Franklin County. Tucker began his career in education teaching communications and journalism, and at Affton and St. Clair coached football for eight years.

“It’s an awesome responsibility, but I’m very excited,” Tucker said after the announcement by school board president Jeff Preisack at Wednesday’s board meeting. “We’ve been here a long time, and we plan to be here just as long. I’m very happy to be a part of it.”

“The District had high expectations for candidates and a rigorous interview process,” Preisack said. “Ron was clearly the superior candidate.”

In July superintendent Maureen Clancy-May at the end of the current school year. With the help of former Hillsboro R-III superintendent Shelton Smith, the Bayless Board of Education spent several months assessing 20 interested candidates before choosing Tucker.

Board member Jeff Robinson called the selection process fast-paced but thorough and said Smith’s help as search consultant proved very valuable.

Clancy-May will be leaving the district on June 30 after 10 years as superintendent.

“I thank you all for allowing me to be a part of growing this school district into a really good place for kids,” she told the board`

At the board meeting Bayless teacher’s union president Gina McCullough complimented the school board on its handling of the selection process. McCullough has with the board over teacher contract negotiations, but said Wednesday that the administration has made significant progress in improving relations with the union, especially during the superintendent search process.

“I think that people will be pleased,” McCullough said of Tucker’s selection.

Tucker takes the superintendent post July 1, 2012.

After Wednesday’s meeting Tucker quoted recently chosen Cardinals manager Mike Matheny: “I’m not taking this lightly.”