Cape School Board fills vacancy

The Cape Girardeau School Board appointed a new member Monday night to fill the seat vacated in July by Luther Bonds, who has taken a position as a DARE officer and school resource officer.

After four applicants were questioned by board members in the first special meeting, the field was narrowed to two by a vote in a second meeting.

Deneka Murphy, a youth pastor and parent of three children in the district, was appointed after points earned during questioning were tallied to show a higher score than the other remaining applicant, Jeff Glenn, owner of the political consulting firm GlennView Strategies and parent of two children in the district.

Two other applicants, Robert Komorech and Morgan Beasley, did not receive any votes.

When Murphy was asked what skills she would bring to the board, she said being a parent of children in the district for over ten years had upped her credibility. She also said serving as a substitute teacher in the district gave her insight into what teachers go through.

"Mainly my passion for educating our children speaks for itself," she said. "I think that is what the board is here to help do, is to educate our children in the best way we can."

Glenn answered he would bring his skills as a critical thinker and as a consensus builder willing to take a good idea no matter the source and put it to good use in the district.

Before the board entered into a closed session during the second meeting, board member Paul Nenninger read a letter of objection regarding the agenda and moving to closed session. The closed session's agenda listed consideration of legal actions and hiring of employees. Both are allowed to be discussed in closed session pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Nenninger said he was under the impression the board would be creating and filling a position during the closed session and that he opposed having the talks behind closed doors.

Board president Stacy Kinder said upon legal counsel from several attorneys Monday the intent of moving into closed session was not to pursue items mentioned by Nenninger.

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO