ED THOMPSON WITHDRAWS FROM SCHOOL ELECTION

Cape Girardeau School Board President Ed Thompson withdrew his name from the April election on Thursday.

A court order signed by Circuit Judge John W. Grimm instructs Circuit Clerk Rodney Miller to accept Thompson's withdrawal.

Telephone messages left Thursday for Thompson weren't returned.

Thompson was seeking his third three-year term on the board. Lyle Davis, whose term on the board also expires in April, didn't seek re-election.

Thompson was first elected to the school board in 1988. He and Davis ran unopposed for re-election in 1992. Thompson served as board president in 1992-93 and again this year.

Miller said Thompson had to seek a court order to have his name removed from the ballot because of the late date of his decision not to run.

A sticker will cover Thompson's name on ballot sheets at polling places.

In the court document, Thompson says he will pay any costs incurred because of his withdrawal.

Miller said the cost of applying stickers hasn't been determined, but Thompson could be charged a small fee.

Under Thompson's leadership in 1992, the Project Partnership review of the school district was completed. Three committees studied finances, facilities and programs. The board also decided to ask voters to approve new buildings.

Thompson was president this past summer as the school district was embroiled in a controversy over high school commencement and a petition drive asking the board not to extend Superintendent Neyland Clark's contract.

Amy Randol, a critic of the superintendent, was co-chairman of the petition committee. She also spent about 60 hours looking into school district finances. Randol uncovered a pattern of sloppy recordkeeping, especially on the part of the superintendent, and questionable uses of the district's American Express credit card.

Candidates R. Ferrell Ervin, Harold Hager and Terry Taylor were surprised that Thompson withdrew from the race.

Ervin and Taylor also said they were surprised that Thompson filed for re-election in the first place.

"I think he probably made the best decision for him and his family," Taylor said.

Ervin said he thinks Thompson has been frustrated by the response the school board has received on certain issues.

Board member Kathy Swan said she understands Thompson's frustration and the toll serving on the school board can take on a person's family.

She said decisions that board members make aren't always easy and aren't always popular.