Board spars over renaming of Alternative Education Center

Divisions between Cape Girardeau School Board members were apparent Wednesday as members butted heads over the renaming of the Alternative Education Center.

A motion to discuss renaming the center failed last month because no member seconded the motion. The director had proposed changing the name to Central Academy for Alternative Learning, saying it would reduce a stigma attached to attending the center.

Despite the failed motion, it was back on the agenda Wednesday at a board retreat. Several members questioned the move.

"Those present [last month] chose not to vote on it. ... That was a no. If there's not an action, the item dies," Paul Nenninger said. "It failed June 30. Now it's back July 9. That gives some appearance of action behind the scenes," he said.

Laura Sparkman, who was on vacation during the June 30 meeting, snapped back, "You're embarrassing everyone. Please stop talking."

Charles Bertrand backed Nenninger, saying that despite Sparkman's, Stacy Kinder's and Dr. Steve Trautwein's absences June 30, the board still made quorum. "It was a business meeting. It was getting the job done," he said.

The Alternative Education Center will move into a new facility within the next month and will require new letterhead and signs with its new address. Board president Kyle McDonald said that if a name change were to occur, now would be the most cost-effective time. Referring to the director of the center, he said, "Carla needs a yes or no."

As the discussion progressed, he said, "I'm sorry I brought this up and it's turned into an arguing match."

Trautwein stressed the board should be devoting the session to outlining goals for the next year, not dealing with specific business items. However, he agreed with Nenninger and Bertrand that more data was needed to show a change would make a difference.

After about an hour of discussion, the board voted, with Sparkman and Kinder voting in favor of renaming the building, and Nenninger, Bertrand and Trautwein voting against it. Tony Smee abstained, and McDonald, as president, did not vote. McDonald said the parliamentary procedure the district follows says the chairman only votes in the case of a tie. With a 2-3 vote, the motion for renaming the center did not pass.

Members were not pleased with how the meeting progressed. "We need to quit battling each other," Bertrand said, saying items had become too "political."

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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