Alternative Education Center principal tapped to head Cape Girardeau Central Junior High

Carla Fee has long worked in the helping business, from her not-for-profit work to her career education experience at Metro Business College. But it was in her late 30s, when she began teaching middle school students, that Fee said she found her calling.

"I've always had a heart for that age group," she said, "and I'm excited to be going back."

On Tuesday, the Cape Girardeau School District announced that Fee has been named principal of Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School. The Cape Girardeau School Board approved the hire following executive session Monday night.

Fee takes the position July 1, filling the vacancy left by Roy Merideth, who took a job in the private sector at the end of last semester. Alan Bruns, assistant principal during Merideth's tenure, continues to serve as interim principal.

Fee came to public education later in life than many of her peers. She earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration and worked at Metro Business College before staying at home with her children for a few years. She worked for and served as director of the local Muscular Dystrophy Association for several years but said she was convinced she wanted to teach after leading teen activities at her church.

Fee began her public education career in 1999 teaching social studies at Cape Girardeau's seventh-grade center in the former Schultz School. When the old high school was transformed into the junior high, she moved to the junior high school.

"I was in my late 30s when I started, which I think helps with the maturity. I did other things," Fee said. "I wasn't there because I had to be or needed a job. I definitely went into education for the love I have for children."

It was at the Alternative Education Center where Fee found some of her greatest professional challenges and many of her most fulfilling successes. She started there as a math and social studies teacher and moved into the administrative position four years ago. Fee said she will miss the center, the staff and the students who have turned their lives around.

"We've had so many students who have made tremendous changes in their lives and who are doing so well," she said. "It has been a very satisfying career for me."

Dropouts declined from 12 percent in 2007-2008 to 6 percent last school year. The number of graduates in the at-risk category was up, although slightly, from 12 percent in 2007-2008 to 14 percent last year, according to district figures.

"We are so going to miss her. She really is an incredible person who has a real feel for the students," said Kathie Brennan, administrative assistant at the Alternative Education Center. "It's a bittersweet deal."

Fee has been instrumental in building the district's at-risk program and coordinates the drive to bolster student attendance, which includes the district's controversial tougher attendance policy. Administrators report attendance is up districtwide, particularly at the elementary level, due in large part to the policy, which punishes parents with possible jail time and fines for their children's chronic absences. Some in the community, however, have complained that it goes too far.

Superintendent Jim Welker acknowledged it will be difficult to replace Fee at the center, although he said the administrator will continue to be "heavily involved" in coordinating at-risk programming.

"She certainly brings that experience in terms of working with students, particularly those students who have issues that are more challenging to work with," Welker said, noting that Fee has the skills the board and administration are looking for in a junior high principal.

mkittle@semmisourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1900 Thilenius St., Cape Girardeau, MO