Challenger says he's 'reform' candidate in Cape school board race

Although Paul Lett knows it's impossible to make sweeping changes as one person, he still is determined to do what he can to improve the local school system.

"I'm the reform candidate," he said.

Lett is running in the April 5 election for one of two open seats on the Cape Girardeau School Board. The other two candidates in the race are incumbents Jeff Glenn and Adrian Toole.

Glenn said his main priorities are continuing to improve student performance and equipping them for the future. Toole said he wants to ensure the district maintains a strong fiscal position and teachers have more opportunities to grow and collaborate.

Lett's frustration

Lett said he decided to run mainly out of dissatisfaction with teachers, administrators and policies he and other parents feel are counterproductive and mean-spirited.

"Basically, I am running because as a parent I'm just extremely frustrated," he said.

Lett has two children in the system and has run into all sorts of challenges along the way.

"As a parent, you are ignored and, worse, abused by the administration," he said.

So the best way to have a better say in things seemed to be in joining the board itself.

"Quite frankly, I think I am the only candidate any parent could talk to without being shim-shammed," he added.

One of the issues Lett said he'd like to address is bullying, which, despite the introduction of an anonymous, online reporting system in 2015, is more widespread than school administrators are willing to admit.

Lett also said he feels children who report things often end up being penalized themselves.

"Almost always, it's the child who reports it who ends up getting punished," he said.

Lett attributed this to teachers targeting students or parents they don't like, or those who are banding together with colleagues.

"Everyone's friends with everyone in Cape, and no one wants to rock the boat," Lett said.

To increase safety on school buses, Lett said he would like to ensure monitors are present for every ride.

In the case of teachers behaving badly, he said if elected, he would work to incorporate confidential student and parent surveys when employment contracts are up for renewal. Corrective actions would be taken with teachers who are flagged as causing problems.

"We've got a college that's graduating people every year who'd love to have a job," he said.

Lett also said he'd like to do something about the practice of being screened before it's possible to speak at school board meetings. He'd also like to do away with the dress code for local schools because it's just another headache for parents.

Glenn touts improvements

Jeff Glenn, vice president of the school board, has served one three-year term and said he would like to do so again.

"I've really enjoyed the time I've spent on the board," he said.

Some of the issues he's had a hand in as a board member include implementing the 1:1 initiative in local schools and helping move along repairs and improvements from a $20 million bond issue approved by voters last year.

Glenn also has overseen changes to the student dress code and has been part of sessions hashing out a switch from eight-period to seven-period days at the junior high and high school.

"It seems like it's been a pivotal time in our district's history," Glenn said.

If he's re-elected, Glenn said his priorities will be seeking public input on any parts of the district's strategic plan that need attention and, although improvements continue to be made, he'd like to see more progress on student performance district-wide and ensuring graduation rates keep climbing.

Making sure students are career-ready is a top priority.

"A lot of the (board's) focus is going to be on student performance and continuing to equip our kids," he said.

Glenn said a highlight of the 1:1 initiative has been the class time it's opened up so students can ask questions instead of struggling with homework when no one's around to help.

As the father of two children in the school system, Glenn said he's passionate about ensuring students have everything they need to succeed.

"It's incredibly important to me as a parent to be as involved in my kids' education as I can," he said, and he encouraged other parents to do the same.

Toole analytical type

Like Glenn, candidate Adrian Toole is an incumbent seeking his second term on the board.

"I am always interested in the well-being of our education system," Toole said. "That's why I ran three years ago in the first place."

In addition to his professional experience as a certified public accountant, Toole said the qualities he brings to the board are his analytical nature and a solid understanding of finances.

"I view myself as a strong decision-maker and have a good rapport with other members of the board, administration, faculty and staff," he said.

One of the issues Toole said he will continue to support if re-elected is ensuring teacher pay is as high as it can be within funding constraints.

He said the district has sound fiscal reserves and should continue doing well by managing its resources conservatively.

Toole also said he would like to see more progress in professional learning communities, an educational tool for school faculty that fosters collaboration.

Although the school district has what Toole said are some shortfalls in standardized test scores, progress is being made.

As for bullying: "I'm not aware that we have a real serious problem with that in our district, but I am very supportive of the steps the administration is taking to call attention to it."

Overall, he said, the quality of the district's educational offerings is strong.

"I think the leaders in our community place a great deal of value on the quality of our school system," he said.

ljones@semissourian.com

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