REDIGER RETAINS CAPE SCHOOL BOARD SEAT

Harry Rediger won a one-year seat on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, joining Bob Blank, Steve Wright and the Rev. William Bird, who were unopposed in seeking three-year terms on the school board.

Rediger beat Jacqueline Sproat, 1,770 votes to 599.

"I'm ready for another year and happy to have another year," Rediger said.

Rediger, along with Blank, was appointed to the school board last April to fill unexpired terms created after three board members resigned.

Rediger headed an effort to collect public input for use by the board in developing a strategic plan for the school district.

"I think we need the continuity of a similar board to go through the time in the future as we finalize the strategic plan," he said.

Rediger said that only one race existed on the school board ballot reflects a tone in the community. "The community is kind of settling in with the board and the administration as we start to move forward," he said.

The Rev. William Bird, a local minister, is a new addition to the school board.

"I want to make sure that we get a communication going and a reconciliation and try to sew up some of the rips that may still exist," he said. "I think the board has been doing a good job. If there are areas we need to improve, I want to work as a team. On issues, we will take them one at a time as they come up and deal with them."

Bird said he is particularly interested in encouraging individuals to express their opinions and concerns.

"I'm excited and up to the challenge," he said. "I'm sure that we're going to get some things done."