Area school elections field few candidates

It's been over a decade since Jackson has had an uncontested school board race, but with less than two weeks until the filing deadline and only two candidates, it's a possibility this year.

Constituents will vote April 6 on candidates to fill two terms of three years each on several Cape Girardeau County school boards and in Scott City. The deadline to file for election is Jan. 20.

In Cape Girardeau County, only the Cape Girardeau School District currently has enough candidates to hold an election in 2004.

Incumbents Gerald Adams and Jim Woeltje have filed for election in Jackson. If the race remains uncontested, the district will not be required to hold an election under a state law implemented in 2003.

The neighboring Cape Girardeau School District will have its first contested race since 2001 this year. Incumbent Dr. Martha Zlokovich filed in December and was joined this week by three more candidates -- James McCausland, Tim Arbeiter and Steven Peel.

School officials worried last week that people would be reluctant to run for office with the district's financial problems.

"It's good for the community to have a selection for any office," said superintendent Mark Bowles. "I'm gratified that there are people out there willing to come forward at a time when the board is under such stress."

All other Cape Girardeau County school districts lack enough candidates to fill vacancies at this time. In Oak Ridge, incumbent Roger Thomas has filed, in Nell Holcomb, incumbent Karen Fornkahl has filed and in Delta, incumbent Kenny Burnett has filed.

The Scott City School District has three candidates vying for two openings -- Debbi Miller, Lisa Schaefer and James Yetman.

To file for election, candidates should visit their local school board office.

cclark@semissourian.com

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