CONTESTS FEW IN AREA SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

Voters in some 10 area school districts won't have to make any hard decisions when they select school board candidates April 7.

The deadline for candidates to file for elections was 5 p.m. Tuesday. Only the minimum number of candidates needed to fill openings filed for elections in eight area districts.

Candidates living in the school districts of Altenburg, Charleston, Delta, Leopold, Nell Holcomb, Oak Ridge, Perryville and Zalma need only to vote for themselves to win.

Decision-making could be a little tougher for voters in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Woodland school districts. Those districts had up to seven candidates toss their hats in the ring.

In Cape Girardeau, four candidates will compete for seats held by Harry Rediger and board president Dr. R. Ferrell Ervin. Rediger, a former board member who was appointed to fill an unexpired term last spring, isn't seeking re-election.

Ervin will compete against Mark Carver, Billy G. Benefield and Cape Girardeau school technology coordinator Chris Cook for the three-year terms. State law doesn't allow school district employees to be school board members; however, Cook is in compliance because she submitted her resignation Jan. 5, prior to filing for election. Her last day of employment in the district is Friday.

Jackson voters must select two board members from a field of six candidates. Connie J. Wilson, Kay Hendrix, Chris N. Weiss, Rhonda Faye McClanahan, Charla Myers, Gerald L. Adams and incumbent Jeanette Bollinger are competing for two three-year terms. Marvin Adams, a former board president, isn't seeking re-election.

Six candidates are vying for two three-year seats on the Woodland school board. Board member Gary Lutes and Linda Tipton aren't seeking re-election.

Candidates for Woodland Board of Education are Douglas A. Lindley, a former board member; Kenny Trentham; Marcia Jackson; Terry Bennett; Henry D. Whitener; and Shelia Teeters.

School officials said there usually are more filings when longtime board members don't seek re-election or after school districts encounter controversial issues.

"I think it's a healthy sign when people are interested in having a hand in public-school policy," said Dr. Howard Jones, Jackson schools superintendent. "I think it's a rewarding opportunity for public service. This is an opportunity for people to serve their community in a very positive environment."

AREA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

BOLLINGER COUNTY

Leopold schools

Two three-year terms:

Dorothy VanGennip (I) and Roy Van de Ven (I)

Meadow Heights schools

Two three-year terms:

Harold Miinch (I), James L. Boyd and Robert P. Wissore

Woodland schools

Two three-year terms:

Douglas A. Lindley, Kenny Trentham, Marcia Jackson, Terry Bennett, Henry D. Whitener, and Shelia Teeters

Zalma schools

Two three-year terms:

Jan VanEs (I) and Tim Burchett (I)

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY

Cape Girardeau schools

Two three-year terms:

Dr. R. Ferrell Ervin (I), Mark S. Carver, Chris Cook and Billy G. Benefield

Delta schools

Two three-year terms:

Keith Cook (I) and Mike Reiminger

Jackson schools

Two three-year terms:

Connie J. Wilson, Kay Hendrix, Jeanette Bollinger, Chris N. Weiss, Rhonda Faye McClanahan, Charla Myers and Gerald L. Adams

Nell Holcomb School

Two three-year terms:

Karen Fornkahl (I) and Debra Followell (I)

Oak Ridge schools

Two three-year terms:

Bob Eisenhauer(I) and Roger Thomas

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY

Charleston schools

Two three-year terms:

John Bledsoe (I) and Mike Ellis

PERRY COUNTY

Altenburg schools

Three three-year terms:

Albert Boettcher Jr. (I), Roger Schlichting (I) and Caroline Littge (I)

Perryville schools

Two three-year terms: Caroline Pontillas (I) and Jeff Volkerding

One two-year term: Tom Wesolek (I)

SCOTT COUNTY

Chaffee schools

Two three-year terms:

Debbie Simmons, Bob Sullivan (I), Phillip David Groves Jr.

Kelly schools

Two three-year terms:

Rita Milam (I), John Felter (I) and David L. Hamm

Kelso C-7 school

Two three-year terms:

Doris Jansen, Franklin Glueck (I), Reapha Paul and Russ Mothershead

Oran schools

Two three-year terms:

John Bertrand (I), Mike Wheeler (I) and Dan Heeb

Scott City schools

Two three-year terms:

Debbi Miller (I), Kevin Hilleman (I) and David Beck

One-year unexpired term: Wayne Petitt (I)

Scott County Central School

Two three-year terms: Kay Boley Griffin (I), Gary Kesler (I) and Ronnie Cookson

Unexpired one-year term: Mark Freed (I)

Sikeston schools

Two three-year terms:

Jan Sargent Felker, David Matthews and Duane D. Highley

STODDARD COUNTY

Advance

Two three-year terms:

John Johnson Jr. (I), Carl Ritter Jr. and Mike Scott