CAPE BOARD STAND FIRM, WON'T REHIRE CENTRAL HIGH PRINCIPAL; SEVENTEEN PEOPLE SPEAK ON BEHALF OF RANDIE FIDLER

Despite the urgings of a crowd of neighbors, friends, educators, students and community members at an unusually loud school board meeting, Central High School principal Randie Fidler will not receive a contract renewal for the 2001-2002 school year.

Cape Girardeau Board of Education president Dr. Ferrell Ervin said the board chose not to reconsider its decision during an executive session Monday. The session followed nearly an hour's worth of testimonials from supporters.

Fidler had been employed as high school principal five years when the school board voted 5-2 Feb. 26 not to renew his contract. Since that time, supporters have organized a silent protest at the high school and calls and a letter-writing campaign to school board members in hopes of getting the decision reversed.

Seventeen speakers addressed the school board before a crowd of about 150 people during the meeting. Most of the speakers characterized Fidler as a conscientious, principled administrator who takes pride in the academic and athletic endeavors of students.

Bill Link, a computer technician for the district who claimed to represent "a large majority" of Central High School staff, said they were "very concerned about the way Mr. Fidler was so summarily dismissed." Many were critical of the board's decision not to seek input from people who are in daily contact with Fidler before deciding not to rehire him.

"His number one impetus is for our teachers and students to perform at the highest level," said Link. "Our mistake is we should have spoken before you acted."

In a sea of people wearing orange and black the school's colors and reportedly Fidler's favorites one of the most noticeable supporters wore the brown robes of a Franciscan monk. Brother David Migliorino, principal at Notre Dame Regional High School, praised Fidler for his willingness to work closely with parochial school officials.

"I have worked closely with the superintendent and high school principal because they allowed me to do that," said Migliorino. "We have a saying amongst Franciscan monks: If it isn't broke, then don't fix it."

All but one of the speakers received lengthy applause. Although he said he had developed no real opinion about Fidler's tenure in the district, Cape Girardeau resident Randy McLain voiced support for the school board's ability to make lasting personnel decisions without input from the community.

"I'm here to say my opinion is only the board and administrators know all the details in this problem, if it is a problem," he said. "I don't think they made this decision lightly."

Fidler did not attend Monday's meeting.

The subject can be revisited only if one of the school board members who originally voted against rehiring Fidler requested a second vote.

WANT TO GO?

*WHAT: League of Women Voters school board candidates' forum for Cape Girardeau Board of Education candidates r. Ferrell Ervin, Martha Zlokovich and Mark Carver

*WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight

*WHERE: Central Junior High School cafeteria