Blair Oaks superintendent retires after nearly two month leave of absence

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Blair Oaks Superintendent Jim Jones has retired, effective Thursday.

The announcement came in a joint statement issued by Jones and the Blair Oaks Board of Education on Friday afternoon.

Jones has served the district for 23 years, including the last 19 years as superintendent.

The school district announced Jones was on a leave of absence on May 4. Jones and the board have not publicly stated a reason for the leave.

The district confirmed that Jones received his usual paycheck while on leave. This school year, he makes $124,500.

High School principal Chris Marshall was appointed as the acting superintendent when Jones's leave of absence was announced. Marshall will serve in that role until an interim superintendent is hired. The board plans to then conduct a search for the next superintendent.

The district says Marshall will make $500 a week extra on top of his $85,000 yearly salary.