RUOPP SEEKS 5TH TERM ON BOARD

Incumbent Pat Ruopp filed Tuesday for a fifth term on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, the only candidate to do so on the opening day of filings.

Voters will choose two board members, each to serve a three-year term. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Feb. 1 to file. The election will be held April 5.

The other board spot up for re-election is now held by Gwen Bennett. She said late Tuesday that she would not run again.

Bennett served one three-year term on the board.

"It's been tremendously interesting and I've particularly enjoyed the people I've worked with," she said.

"I need to focus on some other responsibilities right now, and simply won't have the kind of time to devote to the school board that I think I need to be effective."

Ruopp said his 12 years of experience on the board gives him a perspective about where the district has been and where it needs to go. "That perspective is necessary in the school district," he said.

Ruopp said his top concerns involve funding.

"Our future financial picture is probably going to be our greatest challenge, as was evident at the forums we've conducted and our most recent study session," he said.

During the past year construction proposals have twice been turned down by voters. The board is now considering what type of package to present to voters for a third try at winning approval.

"We have a tremendous number of needs and tremendous number of problems and issues that will need to be addressed," he said.

In addition to buildings, Ruopp said the district's financial picture is dim because of Senate Bill 380.

"We are adversely affected by this, and we're going to have to come up with some ideas on how we're going to deal with that," he said.

Other topics Ruopp said he would like to see addressed include reducing class sizes and moving toward a middle school concept.

"We've worked so hard over the years to improve the quality of education by addressing class size, and we had to take a step back as far as class size was concerned. Also, the board still feels the middle school concept is a valuable way to move. In addition to that we have the need for elementary schools."

Ruopp said he believes community members also have concerns about the schools.

"From the time I first ran for the board 12 years ago, I have believed we need to educate people, the public, about our public schools. I'm not sure how we've come with that. That's still a concern."

Ruopp, a Cape Girardeau dentist, lives at 3040 Keystone. He and his wife Janet have two childen, ages 3 and 1. He is a member of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Rotary West, and serves on the foundation board for the Community Counseling Center.

"I'm really sorry Gwen Bennett will not be seeking reelection. Mrs. Bennett has been one of the most conscientious and supportive school board members. I'm saddened that she won't be on the board in the future."