MACON, MO. -- Dr. Chuck Stockton has hit the ground running. His first day was July 1, and already, he's out getting to know teachers and support staff.
"My primary goal this school year and certainly initially is to just to spend a lot of time talking to people in the community, business leaders, civic groups, parents, students, and teachers just to start to find out what it is we're best at, and what we need to improve on, and take that ,and develop a plan for the next 5-10 years. "
Stockton comes to the district from Kansas. He's been an educator for 28 years. Macon R-1 School District is the fourth district where he will serve as superintendent. Bow hunting and bass fishing are what attracted him to Macon.
"This part of the state has great hunting and fishing. I'm excited about that."
When it comes to the District, he said classroom size and space are just some of the issues he's been looking into.
"Facilities and staffing, in terms of lowering classroom size, particularly at the elementary level, making sure we have enough and adequate space. "
Stockton said Missouri's waiver from the "No Child Left Behind Act", will allow for more flexibility in the curriculum.
"That will bring about some changes in the way school are evaluated, the way we'll continue to teach and various aspects of teacher evaluations, state assessments."
Overall, Stockton said he's happy to be here and can't wait for school to start.
"My family, we're excited to be here. I'm pleased with what I've seen in the community. The community has been very good to myself and my family.
Stockton's wife, Vickie, will be a kindergarten teacher with the district and their son Chase, will be a freshman and has already put on his pads to gear up for the football team.