COMMISSIONERS BEGIN TO QUERY BOARD CANDIDATES

Cape Girardeau County Commissioners thought Tuesday's interviews with potential school board members would make their job of picking three easier. They were wrong.

Twenty-three of the 31 people who are interested in being a school board member came in Tuesday to talk with commissioners.

After more than five hours of interviews, the commissioners decided their job had become much more difficult because of the quality of people seeking the posts.

Three new board members will be announced at a news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday in the commission chambers in Jackson. A school board meeting is planned at noon Friday to swear in the new members.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said that when they started the process, commissioners feared they might have to coerce three people into taking the jobs. Instead 31 people stepped forward and offered to serve.

"People saw there was a problem and they rallied to it," Jones said.

The commission appointments are the result of a rarely used state law. When more than two vacancies exist on a school board, the commission selects the board members.

After months of controversy surrounding the school board, members John Campbell, Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp resigned within a week of each other.

Commissioner Joe Gambill said, "I guess it takes a crisis to bring good people to the forefront.

"We'll be 1,000 percent better because of this," he said. "We are in a healing process, but by golly we're going to be well."

The commissioners asked essentially the same questions of each of the 23 people during the 10- and 15-minute interviews. Commissioners also urged the 28 people who won't be picked to run for election next April.

As the commissioners listened to the candidates, several themes emerged.

Candidates said they think people in Cape Girardeau are ready to move past the controversy surrounding its school system and that trust and credibility must be restored to the school board.

Appointment of three new board members will be a good step toward that goal, some candidates said.

One, Jenny Strickland, said: "The biggest problem is now gone with the resignation of board members. There was a lack of unity. The board couldn't work together. I think it's a new day."

Candidates said the board must communicate openly with the public and provide as much information as possible.

Marie Walker said, "I think some mistakes were made by limiting information desired by the community."

Louis Haynes said, "The board must trust that people will do the right thing when they have all the facts. I believe people have enough common sense to make the right decisions."

Pam Spradling agreed. "Most people can make good decisions if given good information."

Candidates said board members need to work together for the benefit of children.

Bob Blank said, "The board has to work in unison. Stop this bickering and fighting and work as a team."

Harry Rediger said, "We have a good school system. We do not have a good image of our school system."

Steve Robertson said, "Many times the media, which is just carrying the message, is blamed for the problem."

Jackie Sessoms said, "It seems politics and the school board don't mix very well." The school board, administration, teachers, parents and the community need to work in harmony.

Those who attended interviews were Dr. C. John Ritter, David Goncher, Sheldon Tyler, Debra Tracy, Calvin Chapman, Bob Blank, Fred Hoelscher, Richard Rolfing, Jenny Strickland, Louis Haynes, Cleo Mabrey, Brenda Dohogne, Ruth Ann Simon, Jaynee Browning, Janet Rueseler, Pam Spradling, Harry Rediger, Marie Walker, Jim Limbaugh, Steve Robertson, Jackie Sessoms, John Jenkins and David Rosener.

Other hopefuls are Harold Hager, Al Pannier, Bob Komerech, Charles Herbst III, Shaunna McGhie, Morris Osburn, Dr. James Fletcher Jr. and Howard Tooke.

Attending an interview wasn't a requirement to get the job, commissioners said.