CARNAHAN NAMES COOK TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor-Elect Mel Carnahan has appointed a 33-member education advisory group to provide him with insight on educational issues facing the state as he prepares to become chief executive Jan. 11.

The education advisory group is one of eight Carnahan will name; it was released first to emphasize the priority the new governor will place on education.

"We wanted to do education first because it has obviously been one of our top priorities," explained Chris Sifford, who is communications director of the Carnahan transition team.

Among the members serving on the education group will be Bekki Cook, an attorney from Cape Girardeau who is presently serving on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

"This advisory group will provide valuable advice on education in Missouri. We want to continue to open up the process and to get input from people all over the state," explained Carnahan.

"Talking about education isn't just campaign rhetoric, it's a commitment I have to making our schools better."

Sifford noted that the group will discuss problems facing education and made written recommendations to Carnahan.

The advisory groups cover the same areas that were discussed at citizen input meetings held in Jefferson City last week. "These groups coincide with the various departments of state government," noted Sifford.

"They will get together and try to figure out where we are, where we want to be in the next four years, and make recommendations to Gov. Carnahan."

Goals and objectives for areas of state government will be outlined through the process.

Each group will be coordinated by a member of Carnahan's transition staff. The other seven group members will be announced next week.

All groups are scheduled to send reports back to Carnahan by Dec. 18. Sifford said the time frame is short, but stressed the collective expertise of the participants will enable them to complete their work quickly.

"People that have an interest in education and a commitment to improving our schools will be serving on the education group, for example," said Sifford. "We hope to get the information very quickly."

Carnahan added, "We can't improve our educational system if people aren't involved in the process. These advisory groups are a key aspect of the transition."

Besides education, the advisory groups will cover: highways and transportation; corrections and public safety; mental health; health; environment; economic development and agriculture; and social services.