BOARD MEMBERS GET SCHOOL ORIENTATION

Cape Girardeau Board of Education members got a crash course Saturday on the educational operation they lead.

Six of seven board members attended the first of a three-phase orientation process to help them learn about Cape Girardeau's public schools.

Board member R. Ferrell Ervin had a prior commitment Saturday and couldn't attend the orientation meeting.

Board members learned the school system is big with 3,852 students, 550 employees and a $21 million annual budget.

They heard from district administrators that the school system is dependent on local tax dollars and local economic growth. It is heavily regulated by state and federal government, and it is, for the most part, doing a good job of educating students.

Administrators urged board members to visit the school buildings, and board members said they would like to tour the schools and see for themselves what goes on.

The orientation was held in advance of the regular May meeting, which will be held Monday at 6 p.m. at the Board of Education conference room, 61 N. Clark.

April was a month of upheaval for Cape Girardeau's school board.

Two new members, Terry Taylor and Ervin, were elected, three members, John Campbell, Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp, resigned, and the county commission appointed three members, Bob Blank, Harry Rediger and Dr. C. John Ritter.

Also in April, Bob Fox was selected board president in a rare contested race. Steve Wright was selected vice president.

Superintendent Neyland Clark said that with the board changes he sees the district coming to a point of stabilization and then moving forward.

Clark said the second phase of the orientation will be presented by the Missouri School Board Association and the third phase is a video and booklet on boardsmanship.

"In the past we have not done this type of orientation," Clark said. New board members were teamed with an experienced board members in a mentor relationship.

At the meeting, Fox also gave committee assignments. Wright will chair the policy committee, Ritter will chair the finance committee and Rediger will chair the legislative committee. Taylor and Blank will co-chair the buildings and grounds committee, and Ervin will chair the community relations committee.

Clark said recommended Steve DelVecchio as business manager. Business Manager Larry Dew has accepted a job as assistant superintendent with Poplar Bluff schools.

DelVecchio works for the district's auditing firm of Hillin and Clark. DelVecchio attended Saturday's orientation.

The board is scheduled to vote on DelVecchio's appointment Monday.