Rex Crosnoe named Cape middle school principal; Mark Cook retiring as Jefferson principal

Staff changes are coming for the Cape Girardeau School District.

The Cape Girardeau School Board approved Rex Crosnoe as Central Middle School's principal during a closed session meeting Monday night. Crosnoe has served as the school's interim principal since former principal Mark Kiehne was placed on administrative leave in early November. Kiehne resigned shortly thereafter with board approval. Crosnoe has been assistant principal at the middle school since 2007.

"He is a strong instructional leader and well-respected by the staff and the parents. I think we are very fortunate to have him in this role," said superintendent Dr. Jim Welker.

A search for a new assistant principal will begin immediately, Welker said. Retired assistant superintendent Pat Fanger has been in that role since Crosnoe was made interim principal.

The board also approved Jefferson Elementary principal Mark Cook's retirement. He will retire at the end of this school year. Cook has served 32 years as an educator in Cape Girardeau public schools, including 14 years as Jefferson's principal.

Cook won several recognition awards as principal, including the Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year award and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Educator of the Year award in 2010.

Cook said although he is retiring, he likely won't leave education completely behind. He has ideas of possibly teaching at a community college or substituting at the high school level, he said.

"He has done a fabulous job in terms of leading Jefferson, and he will be missed," Welker said.

Welker's contract was also renewed for one year by the board.

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