ERVIN, CARVER ELECTED TO CAPE SCHOOL BOARD

Voters re-elected Dr. Ferrell Ervin and elected newcomer Mark S. Carver to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education Tuesday.

Ervin, chairman of the mass communications department at Southeast Missouri State University, currently serves as president of the board and was elected to his second term. He received 1,998 votes, about 33.58 percent of the votes cast.

This is Carver's first election to public office. Carver, a claims investigator with State Farm Insurance, received 1,619 votes, about 27.91 percent of the votes.

A third candidate, Billy G. Benefield, received 794 votes, 13.68 percent of the total. The name of Chris Cook, who withdrew from the race last month after learning her job would require her to relocate to Indiana, was still on the ballot. She received 1,007 votes.

Ervin and Carver said they were pleased with their wins and anxious to help the school district work through its fiscal problems.

"I'm of course pleased with the results and the endorsement I think the citizens have given me to return to the school board," said Ervin. "I'm committed in trying to help move the school board forward in dealing with some of the serious issues the district is facing, primarily the budget problems the district is facing."

Carver said although he hasn't been actively involved in previous discussions regarding the school district's financial status, he believes he will be able to voice a strong opinion when required. "I'm just ready to get after it," he said. "I've got as much information as I think I need to help."