FAMILY AFFAIR: BROTHERS HEAD UP ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN CAPE

Brothers Richard and David Giles, both principals at Cape Girardeau elementary schools, say the job of teaching children is too important to let sibling rivalry enter the picture.

They admit it's a little unusual for brothers to work at the same job in the same school district but believe it will prove to be an advantage.

Richard "Dick" Giles is the new principal at Charles C. Clippard Elementary School. David Giles has been principal at Alma Schrader Elementary School for the past three years.

Dick Giles at age 52 is seven years older than brother David. He was principal at Sikeston's elementary school for 13 years.

While the temptation might be there for some sibling rivalry between the Giles brothers, both said the job of leading a school is too important to compromise by competition.

"The responsibility is awesome," Dick Giles said. "We don't have time for competition."

David Giles admitted, "If it were Tom, my other brother, sitting in that chair, I might be thinking of ways to best him.

"Because of the age difference between us, Dick had some nurturing responsibilities for me," he said. "I figure Dick and I will do a lot of sharing."

In fact, the two already have a history of sharing and consulting each other about school matters.

"I used to incur a lot of phone calls to Sikeston to pick his brain," said David Giles. "Now the phone bills will be less."

Dick Giles landed the job as principal at Clippard School, in a small way, thanks to his brother.

David Giles watched closely the selection process last spring to replace retiring principal Charles Clippard. "I wasn't on the committee, but I was very interested. When I saw they weren't really happy with the first round, I talked to Dick. I figured if he competed, he'd win."

Dick Giles, on the other hand, thought his chances of landing the post were nil because his brother was already a principal in the district.

"But I was interested," Dick Giles said. "I called Richard Bollwerk and inquired. He said they were looking for the best person for the job and the fact that David was already here didn't matter."

He applied and was hired.

Dick Giles said, "This school had such a reputation for excellence and parental involvement that when the opportunity exposed itself, I put my name in the running."

He worked in the Sikeston school system for 25 years. He was a speech pathologist before becoming principal.

A get-acquainted open house for new principal Richard Giles will be held Tuesday at Clippard School, sponsored by the PTA.

The Giles brothers joked about some personal benefits of having two Mr. Giles in the district. "Now, I can blame things on him," David Giles said. "You must mean the other Mr. Giles."

David Giles' wife, Joetta, was secretary at Hawthorn Elementary School, which was renamed Charles Clippard School, last year. This year, however, she is working in the athletic director's office.

"I guess it's rampant paternalism," David Giles said. "I've been asked if we will gang up on people."

The brothers exchanged a glance, and David said, "We would if the issue was important enough."

The job tip from David to Dick this time makes up for a similar job tip years ago from Dick to David.

David Giles explained, "I was one of those young men who trusted providence to provide. I got married but had no job. I was doing laboring when Dick called and said there were opportunities in Sikeston (where Dick worked).

"It's a little ironic that he let me know about a position, which I accepted. I did the same thing up here."

Dick Giles said, "I've heard that Charlie Clippard will be a hard act to follow. I've heard it several times, in fact."

He said he has only one answer to such comments. "I'm going to be Dick Giles."