CAPE SCHOOLS HIRE TWO NEW PRINCIPALS

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education hired two administrators and 13 teachers Wednesday during a special noon meeting. About 15 people attended the 10-minute meeting at the Board of Education office.

Stan Seiler, a former teacher in the Cape Girardeau district, and Frank Ellis, a current teacher, were among those hired to fill administration positions in the district. Brett Reutzel also was hired as head basketball coach.

About 25 teachers and principals retired this year creating vacancies in all buildings. Several teachers chose to retire early through an incentive program.

The board called the special meeting Wednesday to hire the teachers since the summer months are busy hiring seasons. "You always take a chance when we've got good people lined up" said Dr. Bob Fox, school board president. "We had to move as quickly as we can."

Seiler was hired as principal at Charles Clippard Elementary School. He taught sixth grade at both Washington and Alma Schrader before leaving Cape Girardeau to serve as principal for Zalma schools.

"I think it's going to be a challenge to come back as a principal," Seiler said. "I know the district very well and have a very supportive staff. I look forward to it."

Frank Ellis also is excited about his job as a part-time assistant principal. He currently teaches sixth grade at May Greene Elementary School but will start the 1996-97 school year in a new building and a new job.

Ellis was hired as a part-time administrator at Alma Schrader Elementary School. He also will teach math. "I think it's going to be a good experience," he said. "I look forward to touching more lives -- that's why I started teaching."

Other personnel hired include eight junior high teachers, five elementary teachers and one high school teacher.

In other business, the board approved a $75,300 bid from Kiefner Brothers Inc., for replacement of a brick parapet at L.J. Schultz School. A 60-foot section of the parapet on the 82-year-old building collapsed in mid-January. The board had waited for cost estimates before beginning the repair work.