Cape school board meetings rarely attended by all members

During a whirlwind year of budget cuts, the Cape Girardeau School Board is having trouble getting all of its members in the same room at the same time.

Of the 24 meetings held since January, all seven school board members have been present at only three.

"It probably looks bad, but you have to remember this is a voluntary position that requires a lot of time," said Sharon Mueller, who is in her first term as board president.

Board member Mark Carver has missed more than 60 percent of the meetings -- 15 of the 24 -- since taking a new job last January.

His absenteeism is the main reason he has decided not to run for re-election. Carver's third term will expire in April.

"It's just not fair. They really need someone who can be there more," he said.

Missouri law states that any school board member "failing to attend the meetings of the board for three consecutive regular meetings, unless excused by the board for reasons satisfactory to the board, shall be deemed to have vacated the seat."

In Carver's case, only two of his missed meetings were regularly scheduled, monthly board meetings held on the third Monday of each month.

The others were special sessions scheduled for issues such as discussing school board meeting protocol and Central High School construction updates.

Many of those special meetings, Carver said, are scheduled around administrators' schedules and take place at 12 p.m., when he is out of town working and cannot be present.

Missouri State School Boards Association spokesman Brent Ghan said that the state law is the only vehicle for removing a board member from office.

"Attendance is critical to the success of a school board," Ghan said. "When they're elected, school board members are obligated to attend to the best of their abilities."

Attendance has been issue for not just Carver but several members of the school board.

The Rev. William Bird has missed nine meetings in the past 11 months, including three regularly scheduled meetings. Dr. Steve Trautwein has missed five meetings, two of which were regular monthly meetings.

The other four board members -- Mueller, vice president Charlie Haubold, Dr. Martha Zlokovich and Robert Brown, have missed three or fewer meetings each since January.

Mueller said the level of communication that technology now allows through e-mail, cell phones and the broadcast of board meetings on the school's television channel, makes it easier for board members to keep up with what happens.

"We still lose out if there's a vote that divides us or something," Mueller said. "But it hasn't been a big problem because it's easier to stay in touch now."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128