BOARD CANDIDATES: CLARK'S CONTRACT IS `SLAP IN THE FACE'

Candidates for Cape Girardeau's school board say the decision to extend Superintendent Neyland Clark's contract can be seen as a "slap in the face" to the community.

Two new members will be elected today. Seeking the three year terms are Larry Trickey, R. Ferrell Ervin, Terry Taylor and Harold Hager.

"I would believe that a large segment of Cape's population will take this as a slap in the face," Ervin said. "It appears to totally ignore the questions that have been raised by the citizens."

Whoever is elected, Ervin predicted that questions will be raised about Clark's continued service to the school system.

"I'm not sure what the appropriate procedure will be, but I can't believe that an incoming board would be as comfortable with Dr. Clark's performance as the old board appears to be," Ervin said.

Taylor agreed. "Unfortunately this is another slap in the face of the community from the majority of the board," Taylor said.

He added that the decision has made the process of a possible buyout of Clark's contract a lot more expensive.

With benefits, Clark earned $112,495 for the 1994-95 year.

"I think the board wanted to get their last shot in before the election," Taylor said. "I'm disappointed. They know it will be received in a negative way and it didn't have to be done this way."

Trickey said, "I think the actions speak for themselves. Any comment I could make right now seems superfluous. It just reaffirmed my conviction that I did the right thing when I ran for the board."

Trickey has called for Clark's resignation along with the resignation of board members who support him, including Pat Ruopp and Kathy Swan.

Even though the board has voted, Hager said Clark's future with our schools will still be an issue.

"The new board must have confidence that they can work with Dr. Clark," he said. "If that's not the case then something must be done, maybe even replacing him.

"I think the new board will have to take a look at this," Hager said. "It may be a little more complicated to look at it now."