COMMISSION HAS FIELD TO CHOOSE FROM

Cape Girardeau's county commissioners have heard from 45 people interested in serving as Cape Girardeau's school board members.

Four people have sent in their official letter and resume asking to be considered.

They are David Goncher, Jeanette "Jenny" Strickland, David Rosener and Jaynee Browning

Presiding commissioner Gerald Jones expects several more resumes by Friday's 4:30 p.m. deadline.

"Our search is not limited to just those who send in a resume," Jones said. "We are looking for the three best people we can find in the Cape Girardeau School District."

Under a rarely used state law, Cape Girardeau's county commission must appoint three members to Cape Girardeau's school board. John Campbell resigned March 7. Pat Ruopp and Kathy Swan resigned March 12.

The law says when more than two vacancies occur on the board, the county commission steps in to make the appointments.

The resignations are yet another chapter in ongoing controversies faced by the school system.

The most recent controversies started in February when school patron Amy Randol questioned school officials' handling of school district expenditures, especially an American Express credit card account, and a lack of documentation for travel expenses.

Two board members decided not to seek re-election and three others resigned.

Goncher is an independent insurance broker.

He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the school board in 1990 and has been involved in school activities including the Project Partnership committee on educational programs.

Goncher said people aren't as interested in change as they are in progress.

"We need to move forward," he said, adding:

"We really need to accentuate our positives and attack our negatives, do in a manner that is cohesive with community attitude and go from there."

Goncher has two children attending Cape Girardeau schools and said he wants to make things better for them.

"Things have been stagnant," he said. "I think the opportunity is right now to move ahead."

Strickland works for Access Court Services, coordinating the community service program for Cape Girardeau's municipal court. For nine years, she owned Village Stitchery. She also has an accounting background.

She has three sons. One graduated from Central High in 1989, another in 1994. The third is in the eighth-grade.

"I know the faculty and teachers and have worked with the schools for 15 years," she said.

"I'm honest and I know the school system," she said. "I have a business and accounting background and hopefully I can make a difference."

She said the school district must put grievances behind and start fresh.

Rosener, an attorney, said he makes a living as an advocate for clients and could be an advocate for children if appointed to the school board.

Rosener is no stranger to controversy. One of his clients is Regina's House of Dolls, a nightclub in Cape Girardeau that features nearly nude dancing.

"When I do my job, when I'm David Rosener the lawyer, I represent people's causes. I'm their advocate, and I don't make a judgment," he said.

"At this point I think I've been a strong advocate for my clients. I could be a strong advocate for children."

Rosener said the school board needs to put controversy behind and get on with the business of educating children.

Rosener said he has a perspective on education also. He is 27 years old and graduated from law school two years ago.

"High school wasn't that far off for me," he said. "I've been through the troubles that face today's youth."

He said the school system should offer more college preparatory courses and put a stronger emphasis on career and job skills.

Rosener was unsuccessful in a bid to serve on the Cape Girardeau County Board of Health in the April election.

Browning, a registered nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital, said that for several years the board hasn't represented the city as a whole. Too many members were dentists and business owners, she said.

"I think I'm far enough removed from the whole situation that I can have an objective point of view," she said. "I'm on neutral ground. I don't owe anybody and nobody owes me."

She has lived in Cape Girardeau all her life, is married and has two children.

Browning said she has followed the controversy surrounding the school board and says it is time to move past those problems.

"It's time to move on with the business of the children," she said. "I think we should work to give the kids the best school district they can have."

She said smaller class sizes, redistricting and perhaps a new building are all priorities for discussion.

Browning is a student herself, training to be a nurse practitioner. She is also involved with her church, Cornerstone Assembly.

Presiding commissioner Jones said the specifics of the selection process haven't been worked out, but he anticipates interviewing potential board members before appointments are made.

Commissioners have said they want to make a decision by the end of April.

Anyone interested in serving on the school board should deliver a letter and resume to the county commission by 4:30 p.m. Friday.